Veterans Benefits "Supermarket" A Great Succ GDVS News Release wDecember 2003 ith more than 3,400 veterans and their families taking part, Georgia Commissionerof Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler termed the 2003 "Supermarket of Veterans Benefits" held in Albany on Thursday, December 1lth "the most successful we have had in recent years." The one-day program took place at the Civic Center and provided a one-stop shopping service for veterans and their families to gather information regarding federal and state benefits to which they might be entitled. "We are extremely happy that we were able to assist so many veterans and their dependents today," said CommissionerWheeler. "This program is extremelyhelpfulforthe veterans because so many different government agencies are assembled at a single location and claims are filed on the svot." Approximately 1,990claims were processed Thursday. "Many of these claimantswill be receivingbenefitsforthe first time, and of them had no idea that they were eligible for a n m g , " Wheelerpointed out- The event, the 39" since its inception in 1966,is sponsored annually by the Georgia Departmentof Veterans Servicein cooperation with the U.S. Departmentof VeteransAffairs,and some 25 state, federal, and local agencies directly or indirectly involved with veterans' affairs. It marked the fifth time that it has been held in Albany. "This is an excellentexampleof team effort and cooperation when so many different government agencies can be assembled at the same time in one location to allow a veteran to file a claim right on the spot," commented CommissionerWheeler. "Over the years more than 143,000 veterans have been helped through this event." Since the Georgia Department of Veterans Serviceoriginatedthis program in Columbus,GA,in 1966,veteran benefits' "Supermarkets" have also been conducted in other cities (Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Brunswick, Dalton, Gainesville, Griffin, Macon, Rome, Savannah, Valdosta, and Waycross) across the state. Operation Hero Miles 0peration Hero Miles provides a way for you to help our troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan by donating your unused frequent flyer miles. The Hero Miles Story: In September 2003, the Pentagon started giving soldiers stationed in Iraq two-week leaves in the largest R & R program since the Vietnam War. Soldiers on R & R or Emergency Leave are flown by the military to Germany or three airports in the United States, Baltimore, Washington,(BWI), Dallas/FortWorth, (DFW), or Atlanta, (ATL ) for free. The soldiers have been responsible ~ U I flights the rest of the way in the U.S. to their destinations, until Congress provided funding for this purpose on November 3, 2003. However, this funding is not yet available and may not be sufficient for all the troops or troops on "Emergency Leave". More than 470 soldiers a day are arriving in the U.S. "Emergency Leave" must still pay the full cost of their domestic travel when they are rushed home for the family death, birth, illness or other emerger & r The military does not pay the cost of their travel in the United States, so your frequent flyer miles are a huge help. Families of wounded soldiers must travel at their own expense to visit their soldier at a military hospital. The Fisher House Foundation helps these families, and has joined with Operation Hero Miles to provide free airline tickets to the familiesof soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. Americans have donated their unused frequent flyer miles to the Department of Defense and the Fisher House Foundation to help troops travel home and spend quality time with their loved ones, without worrying about how much it will cost. Your extra miles today can help our soldiers get home to theirfamilies tomorrow. Airlines Currentlv Accepting Donations - AirTran - Alaska American America West Continental Delta Frontier Midwest Northwest Pan Am Southwest United US Ainvav~ Many soldiers on R&R leave must purchase high-priced last minute airfares to connect to their hometowns once their military flights land at the airports in Baltimore, Dallas or Atlanta. Soldierson The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has web site, at 1 and bioIogica1agentssuspected .There is also a section with New Web Site Makes VA and Veterans Health Care Partners The power of the internet is enabling veterans to take an active role in staying healthy. On Veterans Day 2003, VA launched My HealhVet ( M H V ) , a web portal that links veterans with the information they need to better understand, maintain and manage their health. Extending VA health care to veteran's homes, MHV educated veterans about their health, while making them active partners in their health care. Once fully implemented (in 2005), the new veteran -ehealth portal will offer an array of informational and interactive tools, including a health education library, health assessments, a prescription checker, online prescription refill, view next appointment, view total copayment balance, and the ability to request and store key portions of their VA health record. Veterans will even be able to create their own health journals, keep track of their over the counter medications, and log health readings, such as blood sugar and cholesterol. And they will be able to share this information with VA and non-VAhealth care providers. MHV will be ushered in incrementally through 2005. VA will be listening to veterans' suggestionsand feedbackfor how MHV can be more useful to them. MHV Phase 1begins this fall and features one-stop shopping for VA benefits, special VA health programs and centers,VA forms, news about VA and legislation concerning veterans.Acommercialhealth education library is also provided to give up-to-date information about medications and conditions, tools for measuring health status, a prescription checker and the latest health news. In Summer 2004, Phase 2 will provide prescription refill, view total co-payment balance, view next scheduled appointment and self-entered data and health readings. MHV can be accessed from any computer with internet access. Veterans can access My HealtheVet and register for the information services by logging on to http://www.mvhealth.va.~ov. Studies show that those who play a more active role in managing their health stay healthier. My HealtheVet intends to help veterans do just that. ns...Guardians of Lil "The Most Defining Day in America's History," Wheeler Tells a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Dav Audience GDVS News Release December 2003 Much of what our country and our lives are like today was shaped by that most famous tragedy of December 7, 1941," Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler told an audience gathered for a candlelight ceremony at the state's World War I1 Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol Building Complex, Sunday, December 7. Commissioner Wheeler's remarks were part of his keynote address delivered at an AARP sponsored Remembrance Day program. His remarks chronicled the r- assault,the destruction, and the I.imerica," Wheeler loted. " ~ t ;hanged not ~ n l ythe ;ourse of 4merican listory, but :hanged the ivorld." I Commissioner Wheeler emphasized how "America united like no time before or since - 16 million went into and 130million s u p p o ~f~rogm home, very few challenged the rightness of our nation's cause to free the world from tyranny and oppression." "This was a generation very different from those that came before or after," Wheeler pointed out. "Hardened by the Depression, Americans understood the price of "They do so because most Americans have never been forced to live without freedom." In acknowledging those presently in the United States Armed Forces stationed arouna the world. Commissioner Wheeler reminded the audience, "Today our country is again at war because of evil, and evil is much like bacteria, if left alone, it grows." Wheeler pointed out, "To stop it, many young men and h, to and leave their peaceful occupations." In closing, the Commissioner told the audience, "We should never forget the sacrifices that have been and are freedom by those who are called to battle." freedom and took to heart Commissioner American values." Pete Wheeler began his service "Many today take for granted the with the Georgia Department of freedoms which we enjoy in this great Veterans Service in 1949 and 1 country," Commissioner commented. as Commissioner I ultimate sacrifice of some 2,400 America lives that day. SeventeenGeorgianslost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor. "The attack on Pearl Harbor left behind individual stories of loss greater than anyone could ... imagine at that time in 20" Georgia Veterans Guardians of Libel 1 I Library of Congress American Folklife Center I 101 Independence Avenue S.E. Washington, D.C. 20450-4615 Email: V O ~ ~ @ I M . ~ O V Phone: 1888-371-5848 (recorded information and message line F ~ X1:-202-252-2046 I Web site: Rttp://www.loe~ov/Poklifd v~/ 3 I L Georgia Salutes and Thanks America's Veterans veterans Service Organizations across the state continued a long- the .-,,note address at Jonesboro's Century and the sacnrices many courageous Americans have made for their country. standingtradition by hosting or American Commissioner Wheeler participating in events observing Veterans Day 2003. Activities ranging from L monument dedications,memorial Legion Post 258's Veterans Day program on November 7. emphasized that everyone should salute and thank all those veterans who have served to defend against the evils that threaten the services, and wreath-laying ceremoniesto parades, displays, I "We may be freedoms and liberties we enjoy. uncertain about "The evils of this world is much and dinner dances took place in many Uungs nmerica, but we like bacteria - it's always among every One of Georgia's 159 should have no reason to be US,"Wheeler pointed out. "And if :ounties. Many of the state's uncertain about the respect and left alone, it always grows." 753,000 veterans were honored at honor we owe to those who have Commissioner Wheeler noted, their local schoolsthat held assemblies 1lI und cheons to show r - I patriotism 1 I md served this nation," Commissioner meeler told the large audience gathered. "We hornr every ''To stop it, m a y young men and women have to sacrifice and leave their peaceful occupations." Commissioner Wheeler acknowledged those young Americans presently in military support uniform stationed around for the United j states the world with "God- speed . . . our prayers and our sincere wishes Armed F o ~ b ~ s . The annual Gc .-mar's Veterans Day Proclamation Signing Ceremony took place in late October in the Rotunda of the State Capitol and attracted L and woman w ever worn the military uniform of our for your safe return go out to you." Commissioner _IWheeler concluded his -emarksby remindingthe audience, -nerica is 'Number 1,'THANKS military leaders, key members of state government, and leaders of the state's veterans organizations and their auxiliaries. Before heading to Washington, D.C. to represent Georgia in Veterans Day ceremonies at the White House nal andArlingtonNatio Cemetery, Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler delivered ... Georgia Veterans Guardians said. The Commissioner's remarks m covers all wars of the 20th I I "Play it Again, Pete!" Golf Tournament Another Success 0n October 20,2003, the Atlanta VA Medical Center hosted the eighth annual "Play it Again, Pete!" Golf Tournament at the Golfer's Club on Fort McPherson. The tournament raised over $31,000 to support the Homeless Veteran Programs at the Atlanta VAMC. The proceeds from this event go directly L,.*A: b"*, ")'* "A,, to educational and occupational training to help veterans go from the 1 streets into productive society. CommissionerWheeler, for whom the tournament is named, hit the first ball signaling the beginning of the provide Work skills, housing, food, transportation, and most Readily importantly moral support. endorsing the event, the Homeless veterans constitute one-third of our Commissioner says, nation's homeless adult "In an area where population. Over 250,000 success rates are not that high, VA military veterans are homeless in this country every night. has had amazing success at bringing the homeless back into the mainstream of society." The VA's comprehensive programs Photos by: Roy Hamby Manager, Blairsville VSO - I h F New Law Will Increase Support for Disabled Veterans and their Dependents The Veterans BenefitsAct of 2003, H.R. 2297, signed by President Bush on December 162003, authorizes$1billion over the next 10 years for new and expanded benefits for disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and the children of disabled veterans. As enacted, H.R. 2297, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003: + Allows VA to provide specially adapted housing grant to severely disabled servicemembers prior to their separation from active duty service. + Increases the specially adapted automobile grant from $9,000 to $1 1,000, and increasesthe specially adapted housing grants from $48,000to $50,000forthe most severely disabled veterans and from $9,250to $10,000for less severely disabled veterans. + Restores de~endencvand indemnity compensation (DIC), home loan, education and burial benefit eligibility for spouses remarried after age 57. + Increases monthly educational benefits for spouses and dependent children of disabled veterans from $695 to $788 for full-time study, from $522 to $592 for three-quarter time study, and from $347 to $394 for half-time study. + Expands benefits eligibility to children with spina bifida who were born to certain Vietnam-era veterans who served in Korea near the demilitarizedzone. + Allows the surviving spouse or dependent children to receive the full amount of accrued benefits if the veteran dies while their claim is still pending. + Eliminatesthe 30-dayrequirement for POWs to qualify for presumptions of serviceconnection for certain disabilities: ~svchosisa,nv of the anxietv residuals of frostbite, and posttraumatic oeteoarthriris. + Provides full compensation and DIC to members of the new Philippine Scouts if the individual resides in the United States as a citizen or permanent resident. Also extends eligibility for burial in a national cemetery. + Expands the Montgomery GI Bill program to cover selfemploymenttraining programs of less than six months and entrepreneurship courses at approved institutions. + Allows federal agencies to create "sole-source" contracts for disabled veteran-owned small businesses if at least two such concerns are qualified to bid on the contract. + Mandates that the Department of Labor place staff in veteran's assistance offices at overseas military installations 90 days after mabled Veterans Ger Health Care Prionry from VA iA News Release January 2004 All Veterans with service~nnectedmedical problems will xeive priority from the kepartment of Veterans Affairs VA) under a new directive. The new directive provides tat all veterans requiring care for service-connected disability, :gardless of the extent of their jury, must be scheduled for a rimary care evaluation within 30 avs of their request for care. If a VA facility is unable to schedule an appointment within 30 days, it must arrange for care at another VA facility or through a sharing agreement. The directive covers hospitalization and outpatient care. It does not apply to care for medical problems not related to a service-connected disability. However, veterans needing immediately. The new provision is an extension of rules that took effect in October 2002 for severely disabled veterans. Under the earlier rule, prioritll access to health car went to veterans with disabilities rated at 50 percent or more. For the severely disabled, the priority includes care for non-service-connected medical Concurrent Receipt Pay Becomes Reality VA Legislative Services Division December 2003 'ith the signing of the National Defense AuthorizationAction by President Bush in November 2003, military retirees will now begin receiving both their retired pay and VA disability compensation. Previously, the offset reduced the amount of the military retiree's pay by an amount equal to any disability from the VA. Public Law 108-136 (Sections 641 and 642) authorizes a 10-year, phased elimination of the VA disability offset to retired pay. This will affect members non-disability retirements, without regard to years of service. Those who retired as a result of a service- related disability are also eligible. These members must have at least 20 years of qualifying service. In all cases, the retiree must be rated at least 50 percent disabled by the VA. Today, more than 200,000 military retirees meet the criteria required to receive an increase in their retired pay. This legislation expands the field of eligibility for Combat-Related Special Compensation to include retirees with 20 years of qualifying service, who have a combined disability rating of less than 60 percent. It expands eligibility for a taxexempt payment to replace retired pay lost to the concurrent receipt ban and is open to retired with 20 or more years of service and disabilities tied to combat or combat-related training. Reserve retirees are included; people who retired under temporary Early Retirement Authority are not. While the change expands the number of veterans currently receiving CRSC from about 4,800 today, eligible retirees may not receive both concurrent receipt payments and combat-related special compensation at the same time. The act requires an annual "Open Season" to be conducted to allow veterans eligible for both concurrent payment and CRSC to choose between the two options. Details on how the annual open season will be conducted will be published separately, according to DFAS . Because the act also repeals the authorization for Special Compensation for the Severely Disabled (SCSD) which provides veterans benefits for the those with disabilities greater than 60 percent, about 37,000 SCSD recipients will be the first to see increases to their retired pay effective Jan. 1, 2004, for the payment dated Feb. 2, 2004. System changes are required to fully implement the legislation and will take several months to complete. DFAS is working with the VA to implement this legislation and issue the payments to all eligible retirees as soon as possible. When full implementation is completed, payments will include monies that are retroactively to Jan. 1,2004. MVS Changes HVIDV Tag Processing According to the Department verifying the veteran is 100% Motor Vehicle Safety starting disabled, service-connected, or has ith the 2004 tag cycle all loss sight in one or both eyes, or andicapped Veterans tags will permanent loss of the use of a w be processed as a Disabled limb. Only one (1) FREE setlpair teran tag. The Handicapped of license plates can be issued for terans tags will no longer be either an individually orjoint ailable for issuance. owned passenger vehicle or The system has been modified motorcycle. allow for a Disabled Veteran If this is a first time issuance cense plate to be issued or and if the veteran only qualifies for newed as 'FREE' or 'PAIDy. a DV (PAID) tag, the DV For a first time issuance to a recipient must present a letter V recipient, a letter from the U. from the VA or SDVS verifying . Department of Veterans the veteran is 100% disabled, non- l f f a i r s must be presented se Georgia Veterans...Guardians of Liberty sight in one or both eyes, or loss of the use of a limb. The DV (PAID) tags are issued at a tag fee of $20.00. Also, the AD Valorem taxes must be paid at time of registration. Disabled Veterans can be issued more than one DV tag at the fee of $20.00 each. The VA or SDVS letter is not required if the veteran currently has a Handicapped Veteran or Disabled Veteran license plate. Servicemembers Civil Relief Act 0n December 19,2003 the President signed H.R. 100, legislation to help ease the an additional stay is subsequently requested but denied, the court will be required to appoint a counsel to protect inflation. + Provide a servicemember who received permanent change of station economic and legal burdens on military the servicemember's right while he remains orders or who is deployed to a new personnel called to active duty status in on active duty. location for 90 days or more the right Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is now Public The new law will even allow the o terminate a housing lease. Law 108-109. possibility of servicemembers reopening + Clarify and relate existing law that The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act default judgments rendered against them limits to 6 percent interest on credit updates and strengthens current civil when the failure to appear was caused by obligations, including credit card debt, protections enacted during World War 11. military service. And, the civil protections for active duty servicemembers. H.R. In addition, the new law contains dozens under this law will now also be applied to 100 unambiguously states that no of provisions to assist soldiers, sailors, administrative proceeding, such as interest above 6 percent can accrue airmen and marines to help manage their licensing and zoning matter which are for credit obligations while on active financial and legal obligations while they much more common today. duty, nor can that excess interest were away from home in Iraq, For National Guard and Reserve become due once the servicemember Afghanistan, and other locations around members called to active duty, especially leaves active duty. Instead, that the world. for extended periods such as Operation portion above 6 percent is This law will help these brave men and Iraqi Freedom, the reduction in income can permanently forgiven. Furthermore, women, as well as their families back place significant economic pressure on the monthly payment must be home, by strengthening and expanding the them and their families. The reduced by the amount of interest current civil relief statue. For example, servicemembers deploying to new duty Servicemembers Civil Releif Act recognizes that these men and women saved during the covered period. + Update life insurance protections stations will have the ability to terminate need and deserve special relief to meet a provided to activated Guard and automobile leases without having to pay number of financial obligations and Reserve members by increasing from early penalties. Furthermore, it will liabilities, such as rent, mortgages, $10,000 to $250,000 the maximum prevent personal property (such as installment contracts and leases. policy coverage that the federal automobiles) from being repossessed without a specific court order in order to take into account their military duty Other key features include: + Expand current law that protects servicemembers and their families government will protect from default for nonpayment while on active duty. + Prevent servicemembers from a form status. from eviction from housing while on of double taxation that can occw In addition, it is often difficult for active duty due to nonpayment of when they have a spouse who works servicemembers to be physically present rents that are $1,200 per month or and is taxed in a state other that the during civil court proceedings when they less. Under the new provisions, this state in which they maintain their have been called up to active duty or protection would be significantly permanent legal residence. H.R. 100 deployed to new duty stations. To protect updated to meet today's higher cost will prevent states from using the their rights, H.R. 100 will provide of living covering housing leases up income earned by servicemember in servicemembers with automatic 90-days to m$2,400 per month, and then be determining the spouse's tax rate stays in civil proceedings. Furthermore, if adjusted annually to account for Civilian ldentification Card. embers of the Ready Reserve hich includes members of the lected Reserve, Individual Ready ssess a Untformed Services members eligible for retired Ident~ficattonCard or who have a distinct identification card used as an authorization card for benefits and privileges administered by the Uniformed Services. Until the signing of this Act, Guard and commissary shopping days per calendar year. Commissarieshave already adopted the new provtstons, which mean Guard and and Rice* many installations are impacted by host nation agreements &at limit on-base shopping by non-active-duty personnel. When visiting Or living outside the United personnel should always check with authorities about '"I commissary shopping privilege. a Veterans...Guardiansof Liberty 0 M* EM* OR*IAL* I TRIBUTE TO A GENERATION . DEDICATION... ..MAY 27-29.2004 From historical documentsprepared by our nation's 50th Anniversary of World War I1 Committee, we can see, through numbers, what Americans did for the world from 1939-1945. (On May 8,1945 Germany surrendered and on September 2, 1945 Japan surrendered.) + 38.8% of U.S. servicemen and women were volunteers. + Average duration of service was 33 months. + 73% served overseas. + For every 1,000,8.6were killed in action, 3 died of other causes and 17.7were wounded in action and lived. + U.S. Active Military Personnel: 1939 1945 AmY 189,389 8,267,958 &yy 125,202 Marines 19,432 Total 334,473 (324,373 Georgians) -it/L America's Home Front: 1 6.5 million women went to work in defenseplants while 265,000joined theArmed Forces 7.5 million men and women volunteered through the American Red Cross, which also t collected 13.4 million units of blood America's World War I1 production totals we Battleships All other vehicles 2,400,000 Guns & Howitzers 4 1,000 Rifles & Carbines 12,500,000 Escort Carriers 110 Steel Production (tons) 434,000 Vwds of Cotton Textiles 36 Billion Tanks &Armored Vehicles .1?00m00'0 806,000 Aircraft Landing Crafts Submarines Rounds of Ammo 310,000 82,000 21 1 4 1 Billion Wounded 565,861 37,778 67,207 432 + American Prisonersof War: 121,406(652Georgians) + Americans still unaccounted for: 78,773 (364 Georgians) SOURCE: DOD and National Archives Georgia Veterans...Guardiansof Liberty BEACH RESORT Please make phone reservations Veteran's Service School Conference directly with hotel 800-753-5955 or - $79.00 per room May 11 May 14,2004 Reservation Deadline: April 11,2004 912-635-3311 Fax: 2-635-2901 Please notethat we will do a n bert to honor any specialrequesls, but due to the enormour amount we receive, it is not alwayr pcuible. NAME - ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP TELEPHONE ARRIVAL DATE CHECK-IN TIME 4:00 P M DEPARTURE DATE -- CHECK-OUT TIME 11:00 A M NO. OF ROOMS NO. OF ADULTS NO. OF CHILDREN One night's deposit or guarantee by major credit card must accompany each registration. Deposit or credit card guarantee will be credited to the last niglit of your confir~nedreservation. Deposit will be refunded if cancellation is received 72 hours prior to arrival date. If group is tax exempt, individuals must show tax exempt certificate upon check-in. DEPOSIT ENCLOSED $ SIGNATURE Reservation Guaranleed By :(PleaseCircle Card Used) An~ericanCxprerr Master Card Visa Diners Club Cane Blanche t . EXP DATE -- - SERVICE OFFICERS SCHOOL 2004 Holiday Inn, Jekyll Island, Georgia AGENDA TUFSDAYJMY 11.2004 1:30 p.m. Registration m A Y . MAY 12.2004 9:00 a.m. 150 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Compensation-Pension-Education Beneflts Panel Employment-Reempbyment-Chril Service Preference Panel Military RetirementBenefits-NationalCemetetySystemSocial Security-TRICARE Benefits Panel THURSDAY. MAY 13.2004 9:00 a.m. Hospital-Medical Benefits Panel 1:30 p.m. Loan Benefits Panel 3:00 p.m. Insurance Panel FRIDAY. MAY 14.2004 u:uO a.m. Legal-Appeals Panel 12:OO Noon Adjourn Georgia Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4800 - , ,.. . , . " ; :.. ;." ' , , I> . . . , .. L . Georgia Veterans Bulletin The "Georgia Veterans Bulletin" is published quarterly by the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. Individuals or organizations can be placed on the mailing list by calling (404) 656-5933 and asking for the Information Division or by writing to the Department of Veterans Service, Public Information Division, Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Room E-970, Atlanta, Ga 30334-4800, or e-mail us at ga.vet.svc@mindspring.com Barbara J. Aaron Chairperson, Veterans Service Board Pete Wheeler Commissioner Jim Frederick Max Cotter Assistant Commissioner, Claims Assistant Commissioner, Field Service Len Glass Assistant Commissioner Administrative Service JamesJackson Director, Education & Training Sam Smith Director, Personnel Brian Zeringue Shelly- Ann Simpson = -- Public Information Manager or, Veterar PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE Permit No.2258 Atlanta, Georgia 30034