Stale Of Georgia Department of Veterans Service 1996 Annual Report Pete Wheeler Commissioner About The Cover Pictured on the cover is Georgia's Vietnam War Memorial. Standing almost seven 1'cet tall, the three-figure bronze memorial to Georgia's Vietnam veterans is comprised of a woman, a minority, and a Caucasian in a battlefield emergency situation in which a nurse is tending a wounded soldier while his comrade radios for assistance. The sculpture is the work of Atlanta artist Jo Fassnacht, whose work w as select ed over entries from many areas of the country. Casting of the memorial was done at the Ward Foundry in Marietta. The plaza area of granite and concrete where the statue stands was designed by the Atlanta architectural firm of Aeck Associates. The base supporting the three figures is Georgia granite into which emblems representing the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force have been engraved. The site for the memorial was chosen because of its prominent location in front of the Floyd Veterans Memorial Building across from the State Capitol. The memorial is a lasting tribute to the more than 230,000 living Georgia veterans of the war in Vietnam, the Georgians who died in Vietnam, and the Georgians still listed as missing in South east Asia. Also located in the vicinity of the Vietnam Memorial are Georgia's World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial and Persian Gulf War Memorial. A World War I Memorial is in the planning stages. PETER WHEELER COMMISSIONER (404) 656-2300 FAX (404) 656-7006 JFIxrgi Memovicd putiftiitg (Hargis January 27, 1997 VETERANS SERVICE BOARD HUGH MITCHELL. Chairman. Hiawassee W. D. HARRELL. Vice Chairman. Bainbridge FRED T. FINCHER. SR.. Secretary. Lagrange BARBARA J. AARON. Member. Warner Robins A. V. BUBBA AKIN. Member. Ashburn HORACE BORDERS. Member. Rockmart R. D. SMITH. JR.. Member. Toccoa Governor Zell Miller Members of the General Assembly Members of the Veterans Service Board Citizens of the State of Georgia Greetings: Section 38-4-11 of the Code of Georgia reads: "The Commissioner of Veterans Service shallfurnish to the Governor, the members of the General Assembly, the Veterans Service Board, veterans' organizations and the public generally an annual report with reference to claims presented on behalfofveterans ofthis state, concerning veterans aided underfederal, state, or local legislation, and to otherwise report activities and accomplishments of the Department of Veterans Service." In compliance with the above Section, I have the honor to present herewith the Annual Report of the Department of Veterans Service for the year 1996. Respectfully submitted, Commissioner Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 3 Table Of Contents Veterans Service Board................................................................................ 5 Department Mission.....................................................................................6 Department Functions................................................................................ 7 State Approving Agency.............................................................................. 8 Information Program................................................................................... 9 Financial Report......................................................................................... 10 Statistical Report........................................................................................ 12 Monetary Benefits......................................................................................14 Griffin Supermarket ofVeterans Benefits................................................15 Commissioner's Activities.........................................................................16 Service Officers School............................................................................. 18 War Veterans Nursing Home, Augusta.................................................... 19 War Veterans Home, Milledgeville.......................................................... 20 Veterans Day Proclamation...................................................................... 22 Georgia's Veterans Leadership..................................................................23 Department Directory................................................................................ 39 Page 4 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Veterans Service Board he constitution of the State of Geor subject to approval by the State Senate. Board Tgia specifies that the State Board of Veterans Service be composed of member terms are staggered and are for seven years. From its membership, the Board elects a seven members. Each member must be cahvaeirtmeran, vice-chairman, and secretary. Every of the armed forces of the United States and four years the Board elects a Commissioner, must have served honorably during wartime. through whom the Board controls the overall The Governor nominates members who are policy of the Department of Veterans Service. Veterans Service Board Members Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Member Member Member Hugh Mitchell W.D. Harrell Fred T. Fincher, Sr. Barbara J. Aaron A.V "Bubba" Akin Horace Borders Hiawassee Bainbridge LaGrange Warner Robins Ashburn Rockmart Department Organization Veterans Service Board Pete Wheeler Commissioner Charles Willey Director, Public Information Max Cotter Assistant Commissioner Field Service Lawrence N. Brockway, Jr. Assistant Commissioner Robert Morris Assistant Commissioner Claims Wendell Zeigler Supervisor Area 1 Max Cotter Supervisor Area 2 Pat Phillips Supervisor Area 3 A.W. Tindall Director Administrative Division James C. Jackson Supervisor Education/Training Ray Masneri Director GA War Veterans Home Milledgeville Charles Esposito Administrator GA War Veterans Nursing Home Augusta Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 5 The Mission "... to serve those who have served" he mission of the Department of TVeterans Service is to serve the 684,600 veterans (as of July 1, 1995) residing in To a veteran seeking benefits from the VA, the role played by the Department ofVeterans Service might be compared to that of an attorney representing Georgia, their dependents and a client in court. survivors in all matters pertain The necessity for personal ing to veterans' benefits. assistance in filing and pursuing This responsibility falls claims and in maintaining a into two basic tasks: informing continuing information program the veterans and their families results from the legal principle about veterans' benefits; and that veterans' benefits are not directly assisting and advising awarded automatically--ALL veterans and their families in MUST BE APPLIED FOR. securing the benefits to which The VA pays a veteran they are entitled. exactly what he or she asks for To support these missions, when they are entitled, and no the department maintains a more. The aim of the Depart claims staff, field offices, an ment ofVeterans Service is to information division, and a obtain for a veteran or depen central office. dents the benefits to which they The claims staff is located are entitled, to tell them when at the Atlanta regional office of they are entitled, and to assist the U.S. Department of Veterans them in gathering and preparing Affairs at 730 Peachtree Street. evidence needed to justify a The claims staff mission is to claim and prove their entitle process claims and appeals of Georgia veterans. Mmt'tlwtJllfr ment. The advancing age of The field offices, located World War II and Korean War throughout the state, provide veterans, and the frequent direct assistance to veterans at changes that occur in veterans' the local level. The information division's mission is to keep Georgia ThomaxviHe-MouUrie Tifton benefits legislation, will neces sitate the continuance of a variety of veterans' programs in veterans informed about issues and how they impact on them. The central office is for the Valdosta Vldoiia-Mcttae the years ahead. As Congress continues to seek ways to reduce the deficit, administration of these services. veterans' benefits will continue The uninformed may be to be in a state of flux. This prone to use the phrase "duplica means veterans will continue to tion of effort" when referring to need assistance in interpreting the functions of the Department ofVeterans the changes and determining how they impact on Service and the U.S. Department ofVeterans their personal situation. Affairs; nothing could be further from the truth. Page 6 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Department Functions 1. Effectuate and carry out the laws of the state pertaining to veterans. 2. Inform veterans, their dependents, and survivors as to their rights and benefits under federal and state legislation or local ordinances. 3. Assist veterans, their dependents, and their beneficiaries in the preparation, presentation, proof, and establishment of such claims, privileges, rights and other benefits accruing to them under federal, state, and local laws. 4. Report any evidence of incompetence, dishonesty, or negligence on the part of any employee dealing with veterans' affairs to the proper authority. 5. To do and perform all things for the promotion of and in the interest and for the protection of the veterans of Georgia as to their rights under all federal and state laws. 6. Apply for and accept gifts, grants, and other contributions from the federal government or from any other governmental units. 7. Accept and use gifts, grants, donations, and contributions of real estate, both vacant and improved facilities, monies, services or other property from individuals, arms, corporations, organizations, and associations and from county and municipal corporations and their subdivisions, in addi tion to any funds appropriated by the state. 8. Construct and operate hospitals, nursing homes, and personal care homes for the benefit of eligible war veterans. 9. Advise the Governor, the Board ofVeterans Service, and the General Assembly as to needed veterans' legislation. 10. Maintain files on all veterans who have filed claims for veterans' benefits through the department. 11. Conduct educational programs by personal appearances before veterans' organizations, service clubs, fraternal groups and other such organizations so as to acquaint the public generally with the work of the department. 12. Make representatives of the department available in any regions, locations, and areas of the state to assist all veterans, their dependents, and survivors in preparing and filing claims for benefits and to acquaint them with all legal rights and privileges. 13. Cooperate with all national, state, and local governmental and private agencies, securing or offering services or any benefits to veterans and their dependents. 14. Assist and cooperate with all veterans' organizations in their work. 15. As State Approving Authority, enter into contracts with the federal government for the qualifications, approval, certification, and supervision of educational institutions and training establishments applying for or participating in federal programs for educating and training veterans. 16. Assist other states in securing evidence for claims. 17. Promote enlargement and improvement of VA hospital facilities in the state. 18. Sponsor observance ofVeterans Day in the state. 19. Certify eligibility for veterans drivers licenses and honorary drivers licenses. 20. Certify eligibility for disabled veterans discount at Department ofNatural Resources facilities. 21. Issue Certificates of Exemption from payment of business license tax to qualified veterans. 22. Assist veterans in obtaining Honorary Hunting and Fishing Licenses. 23. Assist in obtaining special motor vehicle license plates for certain veterans: Medal of Honor recipients. Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners-of-war, handicapped veterans, and disabled veterans. 24. Furnish the Governor, members of the General Assembly, State Board ofVeterans Service, veterans' organizations, and the general public an annual report on the activities and accomplishments of the depart ment. Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 7 State Approving Agency y law, the Georgia Department of training, and on-the-job training programs BVeterans Service is designated as the State Approving Agency, re peaked at 10,767, during 1996. In the years ahead, substantial increases in sponsible for approving and supervisingenarlol llments arc expected to continue as the institutions and establishments in Georgia, which veteran population is augmented by participants offer education and training under the provisions in the Montgomery GI Bill education program. of the Veterans Educational Assistance Program. Initiated as a trial venture in 1985, the Montgom The State Approving Agency has the func ery program proved to be such a success, it tion of ensuring that institutions and establish subsequently was made a permanent benefit for ments meet and maintain acceptable standards so the military and now enjoys a huge participation. that eligible persons who attend may receive The U.S. Department ofVeterans Affairs educational assistance from the U.S. Department has expanded the veterans education benefits ofVeterans Affairs. program to include vocational, technical, corre This includes all public and private schools spondence and apprenticeship training for and all establishments offering apprenticeship reservists, and permanent reinstatement of flight and other on-the-job training. The satisfactory training for both reservists and veterans. performance of these duties requires extensive In 1996, the approval of educational institu knowledge in education administration and tions and training establishments for the educa understanding the laws and regulations that tion of Georgia veterans resulted in the process govern and control the Veterans Educational ing of 1,225 individual actions in the approval, Assistance Program reapproval, withdrawal, and compliance survey Georgia veterans enrolled in college degree process. The State Approving Agency also and professional programs, technical career conducted regular inspection visits to ensure that programs, vocational programs, to include flight approval criteria and schools' standards of progress are being followed as pre scribed by law. During 1996, personnel assigned to the Educational and Training Division conducted 380 visits for the purposes of approval, rcapproval, inspection and compliance surveys. Currently, the department monitors 539 educational institutions and training establishments. Laws recently enacted require stringent regulatory compliance in order to maintain controls on all approved types of educational estab lishments. The responsibilities of approval, annual inspections, and ensuring corrective action is taken William I. Cameron is shown undergoing on-the-job-training as a machinist while employed by BG 300, Inc. in Dahlonega. Cameron is utilizing his Montgomery GI Bill Education ben efits to receive the training. where necessary, constitute a vital function of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. Page 8 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Information Program he information division collects, Tevaluates, and disseminates informa tion to veterans regarding benefits, changes in laws, and proper procedures to be followed in the filing of claims. When appropriate, the division mails news releases concerning veterans' affairs to more than 450 newspapers, radio and television stations throughout Georgia. The releases are used to inform veterans about the latest changes regarding veterans' affairs and to provide information on the status of proposed or pending legislation which may affect them. Field personnel also promote the use of informational material by their frequent contacts with the news media in their respective areas. The Department publishes the Veterans Bulletin which contains information about veterans' programs, VA actions and decisions, new rules and regulations, and news from vari ous sources. A quarterly publication, the Veterans Bulle tin is distributed to veterans' organizations, VA hospitals, and other interested groups and indi viduals. Public addresses are another important ingredient of the Department's information program. All Department personnel are encour aged to accept speaking engagements at meet ings of veterans' organizations and civic clubs. These personal appearances provide excellent opportunities for telling the veterans' benefits story. Department personnel participate in local radio talk shows and make presentations at local schools. The information division compiles, edits, and publishes a series of pamphlets explaining in detail the various benefits available to veterans, their dependents, and survivors. These pam phlets are updated as changes occur in laws, regulations, or benefits. The information division is also tasked with keeping the field offices informed about changes in the law and policy interpretations that impact on veterans. Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler is interviewed by Bonnie Pfrogner, station manager and news director at WHIE, Griffin, Ga., during the Supermarket of Veterans Benefits. Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 9 Financial Report (From the State Auditor's report for the period July1, 1995- June 30, 1996) FUNDS AVAILABLE REVENUES STATE APPROPRIATION General Appropriation Amended Appropriation Governor's Emergency Fund Total State Appropriation FEDERAL REVENUES OTHER REVENUES RETAINED (Donations) Total Revenues Carry-Over From Prior Year Total Funds Available EXPENDITURES PERSONAL SERVICES $ 24,343,698.00 0.00 10.000.00 $ 24,353,698.00 7,625,692.41 0.00 $ 31,979,390.41 2.499.93 $ 31,981,890.34 Salaries and Wages Employer's Contributions for: F.I.C.A. Retirement Health Insurance Personal Liability Insurance Unemployment Compensation Insurance Worker's Compensation Insurance Assessments by Merit System Total REGULAR OPERATING EXPENSES $ 3,513,430.54 251,510.09 542,689.32 430,908.78 20,096.00 953.00 86,568.00 20.753.93 $4,866,909.66 Motor Vehicle Expenses Supplies and Materials Repairs and Maintenance Utilities Rents (Other than Real Estate) Insurance and Bonding Grants to Counties, Cities and Civil Divisions Page 10 $ 742.00 90,020.57 12,665.40 15,873.22 2,229.96 3,156.82 0.00 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty REGULAR OPERATING EXPENSES CONTINUED: Other Operating Expenses Extraordinary Expenditures Duplicating and Rapid Copy Publications and Printing Equipment Purchases Total TRAVEL MOTOR VEHICLE PURCHASES EQUIPMENT Equipment Purchases Rental of Equipment Total COMPUTER CHARGES Software Equipment Equipment Purchases Computer Billings, DOAS Total REAL ESTATE RENTALS TELECOMMUNICATIONS PER DIEM. FEES AND CONTRACTS OTHER Operating Expense/Payments to Central State Hospital Per Diem, Fees and Contracts Operating Expense/Payments to Medical College of Georgia Per Diem, Fees and Contracts Regular Operating Expenses for Projects and Insurance Repairs and Maintenance Insurance and Bonding Total Total Expenditures Excess of Funds Available over Expenditures Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty 5,306.76 10,000.00 2,770.04 22,775.11 118,483.22 $284,023.10 $89,788.73 17,714.65 $ 82,873.55 18.454.71 $ 101,328.26 0.00 25,930.00 1.060.93 $ 26,990.93 $ 235,352.99 $ 63,436.71 $ 25,607.74 $ 18,273,336.17 $ 7,279,376.00 $ 615,614.82 9.353.02 $ 26,177,680.01 $ 31,888,832.78 93.057.56 $ 31.981.890.34 Page 11 Statistical Report The following is a report of the number of cases and types of services rendered by the Georgia Department ofVeterans Service during 1995. Compensation and Pension.......................................................................................... 14,990 Contacts...................................................................................................................... 603,402 Letters Written...............................................................................................................38,113 Medical............................................................................................................................. 9,921 Insurance........................................................................................................................... 1,156 Home Loan Applications......................................................................... 3,987 Education.......................................................................................................................... 5,319 Other Forms and Evidence...................................................................................... 125,065 Notices of Disagreement and Appeals Filed................................................................2,244 New Case Files................................................................................................................ 7,512 Business Licenses............................................................................................................... 189 Powers ofAttorney......................................................................................................... 6,782 VA Claims Folders Reviewed......................................................................................40,808 Drivers Licenses..............................................................................................................8,162 Miscellaneous............................................................................................................ 747,116 Page 12 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Statistical Report Definitions COMPENSATION AND PENSION - Claims for monetary benefits submitted by veterans, their dependents or survivors. CONTACTS - Requests for service or information (in person, by telephone or by letter). LETTERS WRITTEN - Outgoing correspondence originated in the department on behalf of claimants in developing their claims. MEDICAL - Applications for treatment of a medical or dental condition; for admission to health care facilities; and vocational rehabilitation. INSURANCE - An application for insurance, conversion, reinstatement, waiver of premiums, total disability income and death proceeds. HOME LOAN APPLICATION - Applications for direct home loans from the VA and guaranteed loans from private lenders. EDUCATION - Applications for educational assistance for the veterans and/or wives, widows and children of veterans. OTHER FORMS AND EVIDENCE - Documents completed and transmitted in support of applica tions filed for claims. NOTICES OF DISAGREEMENT AND APPEALS FILED - Written briefs and statements prepared in support of a claim where there is disagreement with the VA decision rendered. NEW CASE FILES - Cases brought to the attention of the Veterans Service Department for assistance requiring representation. BUSINESS LICENSES - Certificates issued to certain disabled veterans exempting them from the payment of business license taxes. POWERS OF ATTORNEY - The appointment of a service organization as a claimant's representative. VA CLAIMS FOLDERS REVIEWED - Claims obtained from the VA adjudication division and reviewed and rating boards conducted by claims staff personnel. DRIVERS LICENSES - Certificates issued to veterans, their spouses, or to widows or widowers of veterans for obtaining a veteran's or honorary driver's license. MISCELLANEOUS - Assisting in arrangements for military funerals, burial in national cemeteries, obtaining flags and grave markers, ambulance service guardianship for incompetent veterans and orphans; replacement of lost or destroyed discharges and military records; review and change of discharges and military records; employment, reemployment, civil service preference, social security, welfarfe and related benefits; claims from the field reviewed and released to the VA; actions pertaining to HV and DV auto tags, hunting and fishing licenses, tax exemptions, state park discount cards and change of addresses. Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 13 Monetary Benefits The following is a report of the monetary benefits received by the veterans and the dependent survivors of deceased veterans in the State of Georgia during federal fiscal year 1996 (October 1, 1995 - September 30, 1996). The figures were provided by the U.S. Department ofVeterans Affairs. COMPENSATION AND PENSION.................................................. $ 601,049,436 INSURANCE...........................................................................................45,895,684 READJUSTMENT AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION...... ..........48,362,047 CONSTRUCTION................................................................................... 13,673,890 REGIONAL OFFICE AND HOSPITAL OPERATING COSTS............384,565,775 TOTAL................................................................................................................... $1,093,546,832 Monetary Report Definitions COMPENSATION AND PENSION - Represents returns in dollars for veterans' compensation for service-connected disability, compensation for service-connected deaths for veterans' dependents, veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation for service-connected deaths, pension for nonservice-connected disability for veterans, pension to veterans' surviving spouses and children, and burial expenses allowance for veterans. INSURANCE - Estimate ofVA payment of death claims, matured endowments, dividends, cash surrender payments, total disability income provision payments, and total and permanent disability benefits payments. The data is provided by the VA Regional Office and Insurance Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The estimate is based on statistical allocations using the veteran population to disperse amounts to geographic locations. READJUSTMENT AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION - Represents returns in dollars for automobiles and adaptive equipment for certain disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces, specially adapted housing for disabled veterans, dependents' education assistance (Chapter 35), vocational rehabilitation for disabled veterans (Chapter 31), post-Vietnam Era veterans' educational assistance (Chapter 32), and the Montgomery G.I. Bill for Selected Reserves (Chapter 106). CONSTRUCTION - Represents returns in dollars concerning major and minor construction projects. REGIONAL OFFICE AND HOSPITAL OPERATING COSTS - Amount spent by the VA to operate the regional office, hospitals, nursing and domiciliary facilities, and clinics in Georgia. Page 14 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Griffin Hosts 1996 Supermarket he 1996 "Supermarket of TVeterans Benefits" was held at the Griffin National Guard Armory on December 11. More than 3,100 veterans and their families attended the event. During the day, approximately 1,540 claims were processed. The annual event is sponsored by the Georgia Department ofVeterans Service in cooperation with the U.S. Department ofVeterans Affairs, and state, federal, and local agencies di rectly or indirectly involved with veterans benefits. The one-day program provides a one-stop shopping service for veterans and their families to gather information regarding benefits to which they might be entitled. The program began in 1966 in Columbus. Since then, the Department ofVeterans Services has sponsored an annual "Supermarket" in various cities throughout Georgia. Pictured above is part of the large group that participated in this year's Supermarket of Veterans Benefits held at the Grif fin National Guard Armory on December 11. Top right, Rich ard Branson, a claims counselor in the Department's Claims Office, assists a veteran while other counselors help other veterans in the background. In the right photo, Joe Dromsky, Jr., assistant administrator at the Georgia War Veterans Nurs ing Home in Augusta, welcomes a veteran to the Supermar ket. Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 15 Commissioner's Activities "The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and the Members of the Board are di rected to conduct education programs bypersonal appearances before veterans' organizations, service clubs, fraternal groups and other such organizations so as to acquaint the public generally with the work of the department and the rights and privileges of veterans," - Georgia Laws 1945, p. 324. uring 1996 as in previous years, the Southerness Golf Club. The event raised DCommissioner ofVeterans Affairs Pete Wheeler participated in nu $5,000 for the VA's Homeless Programs. Also in May, Commissioner Wheeler merous veterans' activities throughout pGaerotircgiipaa.ted in a ceremony designating the In his appearances before veterans' organi portion of Interstate 20 from Interstate 285 in zations, civic groups and professional organiza DcKalb County eastward to U.S. Route 441 in tions, the Commissioner stressed the Morgan County as the Purple Heart Highway. department's service to veterans, the recent On July 4, Commissioner Wheeler threw changes and challenges to veterans' benefits, and out the first pitch at the 9th Annual Veterans his recommendations regarding the future of Night With The Braves at Atlanta/Fulton County veterans benefits and health care. Stadium. Commissioner Wheeler also spoke out for In September, Commissioner Wheeler building a new U.S. Department of Veterans served as the Master of Ceremonies at a cer Affairs Regional Office adjacent to the Atlanta emony in LaGrange honoring posthumous Medal VA Medical Center in Decatur. Due to his of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Hammett L. efforts and those of the VA Regional Director, a Bowen, Jr. plan to move the Regional Office to the Federal Also in September, the Commissioner Center in downtown Atlanta was halted in 1996. spoke at the National Convention of the Veterans The Commissioner was also active in of World War I who met in Atlanta. guiding the activities of the World War II Memo rial Advisory Board. The Board's mission is to advise the Battle Monuments Commission on building a World War II Monument in Washing ton, D.C. Commissioner Wheeler was appointed ^ 1996 SCHOOL by the President to serve as the Board's Chair man. Throughout the year, the Department of Veterans Service was involved in overseeing the privatization of the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville. In April, the Department awarded a contract to Priva Trends, a subsidiary of Pruitt Corporation in Toccoa, to manage the Home effective July 1. In addition to the Department's recurring annual events such as the Service Officers School and the Supermarket ofVeterans Ben efits, Commissioner Wheeler participated in several special events in 1996. In May, the Atlanta VA Medical Center held U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Secre tary Hershel Gober (left) was the principal speaker at the Services Officers School in May. Commis the first "Play It Again Pete" golf tournament at sioner Wheeler presided over the four-day event. Page 16 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Commissioner Wheeler was one of the princi pal speakers at the ceremony designating the portion of Interstate 20 from Interstate 285 in DeKalb County eastward to U.S. Route 441 in Morgan County as the Purple Heart Highway. Among those looking on is General (Ret) Ray Davis (right), a recipient of the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart. Commissioner Wheeler addresses the crowd at the 9th Annual Veterans Night with the Braves at Atlanta/Fulton County Stadium on July 4. Later he threw out the game's first pitch. Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Commissioner Wheeler speaks at a public hearing in support of building a new U.S. Depart ment of Veterans Affairs Re gional Office next to the VA Medical Center in Decatur. Page 17 Service Officers School ore than 400 persons attended the 1996 Ser vice Officers School held at the Holiday Inn on Jekyll Island, May 13-16. The annual conference is sponsored by the Georgia Department ofVeterans Service in cooperation with the U.S. Department ofVeterans Affairs and the state's veterans' organi zations. The conference is the Department's primary training device. It is designed to pro vide attendees with up-to-date information regarding federal and state veterans' benefits. Emphasis is placed on discuss ing new laws and how they will impact on veterans. The event brings together the veterans benefits counselors from the department's field offices, the leadership of the state's veterans' Judy Johnson, veter ans benefits counselor in the Dalton office, talks with Charles Cragin, chairman of the Board of Veterans Ap peals, during a break at the Service Officers School. Shown below is part of the large group that attended the four-day training ses sion at Jekyll Island. groups and national officials involved in veterans issues. Participating in the confer ence were Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Hershel Gober; Mary Lou Keener, General Counsel for the U.S. Depart ment ofVeterans Affairs and Charles Cragin, Chairman of the Board ofVeterans Appeals. Also participating were John Vogel, Deputy Under secretary for Benefits, U.S. Department ofVeterans Affairs; and Tom Harvey, Staff Director, U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. Representatives of na tional veterans' organizations attending were Frederico Juarbe, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Carroll Williams, The Ameri can Legion; David Gorman, Disabled American Veterans; and Noel Woosley, American Veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Page 18 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home he Georgia War Veterans Nursing by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of THome is a 192-bed skilled nursing care facility located adjacent to the Healthcare. During the year, construction was com Medical College of Georgia Hospital anpdlethteed on the exterior blue brick of the facility. U.S. Department ofVeterans Affairs Medical The $515,000 project was needed to maintained Center in Augusta. the integrity of the structure. It is operated under a contractual agreement In 1996, the GWVNH provided 63,848 days with the Medical College of Georgia. of care to Georgia veterans. There were 206 Primarily a facility to provide care to aged admissions and 200 discharges, and the average and infirm Georgia veterans, the GWVNH also length of stay for veterans was 441 days. serves as a teaching facility to acquaint medical The average age of residents in the facility and allied health students with the problems, is 76 years of age. The GWVNH also provided afflictions and diseases that confront the aged. 53,407 physical therapy treatments and 6,519 This provides the students with practical occupational therapy procedures, in 1996. experience and helps them gain expertise in To help provide care and treatment, the treating the elderly. federal government provided financial assistance The facility also houses the Georgia De totaling $2,363,7591, during 1996. partment ofVeterans Service field office which Throughout the year, veterans organiza services Columbia and Richmond counties. tions, civic and fraternal associations, and reli Dedicated in 1969, the facility was the first gious groups demonstrated their concern for the of its kind in the nation to be built with financial well-being of ailing veterans through numerous assistance from the federal government. donations and the continuing sponsorship of It is one of a select group of such institu frequent veteran-related activities. tions in the United States to have been accredited Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 19 Georgia War Veterans Home he year 1996 was an eventful one for sores) has been reduced by 75 percent. Tthe Georgia War Veterans Home (GWVH) in Milledgeville. Priva- Priva-Trends believes in maintaining each residents' dignity and self-respect. Therefore, an Trends, Inc., a private Georgia-based coamgpgarneyss, ive restraint reduction program was assumed the management from the Georgia implemented resulting in the reduction of physi Department of Human Resources on July 1. cal restraints by 55 percent. With the new management came the open Also every effort is made to prevent un ing of a new medical wing housing a complete wanted weight loss in residents. All veterans are dental clinic with a full time dentist, a dental monitored on a regular basis for weight loss of hygienist, and dental laboratory. During the first five percent or more. The number of veterans two-and-one-half months of operation, the dental with a weight loss of more than five percent has clinic provided service to 276 veterans. been reduced by 45 percent. Also, a local restaurant was purchased, Another quality indicator being monitored renovated and now provides a new menu of food is the number of bedfast residents. This number service to veterans. Overall, nearly $1 million has been reduced from 31 bedfast residents in was spent on the development of these new July 1996 to six in January 1997. Also, the use services. of indwelling foley catheters has been reduced Quality Care First Quality care is a top priority! A number of new quality improvement indicators were intro duced which measure and monitor care data and statistics. Within the first few months several improvements were noted. For example, since Priva-Trends took over management, the number of decubiti (pressure by approximately one-third. These quality care improvements occurred in spite of having an older, sicker population. The average age of the veterans at the GWVH has increased from 69 in May 1996 to 71 in January. During the last half of 1996, the staff escorted veterans to 1,020 clinical appointments at local hospitals and physicians' offices and to Page 20 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty more than 472 out-of-town appointments (in cluding the VA Medical Centers in Atlanta, Augusta, and Dublin). The nurses administered 4,880 doses of medications and provided 250 treatments daily. Rehabilitation Services Expanded Two new rehabilitation services were widely used by the veterans. Some 9,717 speech therapy procedures were performed and veterans used 3,305 pieces of respiratory equipment such as oxygen tanks, etc. Since July, 7,143 physical therapy proce dures and 3,777 occupational therapy treatments have been provided. In addition, restorative aides provided 8,125 treatments. Between July 1 and December 31, there were 105 admissions and 90 discharges. More Services for Fewer Dollars Priva-Trends has contracted to provide all services, including the new expanded services, at a rate of approximately $92 per day. Under past management, the average daily cost per veteran was more than $157. This results in a significant savings to the government and taxpayers. At the same time, Priva-Trends is making a significant financial impact on the local medical community. It is estimated that the Georgia War Veterans Home will bring approximately $4,314,601 to the Milledgeville medical commu nity. This figure includes dollars paid to Oconee Regional Medical Center for inpatient and outpatient services, for hospital and office visits to local physicians, for lab services contracted with Oconee Regional Medical Center, and for emergency medical services. Federal assistance in financing the cost of providing care to veterans in the GWVH amounted to $2,678,339, since July 1, 1996. Ongoing Training Training and education programs are con tinuing. There are weekly staff training pro grams, self study units, written and video make up classes, and night sessions. Two supervisory training programs have been initiated at lunch time for nurses. Application for state approval for Nursing Assistant I classes has been submit ted and plans are underway to have the Georgia War Veterans Home serve as a teaching clinical site. Volunteers Make A Difference Veterans continue to benefit from the generosity of various veterans service organiza tions, civic associations, and church groups through sponsorship of movies, games, dances, parties, and other programs throughout the year. Community Outreach During the year, veterans and staff spon sored community programs including local youth sports programs and provided food and gifts to homeless families during the Christmas holidays. Campus Overview The Georgia War Veterans Home consists of three nursing facilities, one domiciliary and has a well-equipped central recreation building. The Richard B. Russell Building houses 119 skilled nursing beds. The Carl Vinson Building is a skilled nursing facility with 102 beds and houses the Georgia Department of Veterans Service field office which services Baldwin, Hancock, Putnam, Washington and Wilkinson counties. The Joe T. Wood Building is a 150-bed skilled nursing facility and the Pete Wheeler Building serves up to 107 veterans in need of domiciliary care. In 1996, one wing of the Wheeler building was renovated and is the site of the new comprehensive medical and dental services program. The Georgia War Veterans Home is licensed by the Georgia Department of Human Re sources' Office of Regulatory Services, and certified by the U. S. Department ofVeterans Affairs. For the convenience of Georgians, the Home maintains a toll-free telephone number: 1 888-453-6836. Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 21 Veterans Day A ceremony proclaiming Monday, November 11, 1996, as "Veterans Day" in Georgia was held at the State Capitol on Oct. 30. Leaders of the state's vet erans' organizations, members of the state legisla ture and military officials were in attendance. Pic tured above are some of the representatives who attended the ceremony. Commissioner Wheeler served as the master of ceremonies. ,--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- -- State Veterans Organizations In rendering service to the veterans of Georgia, the Department ofVeterans Service works closely with veterans' organizations and the U.S. Department ofVeterans Affairs. The Commanders of the veterans' organizations of Georgia, who have so generously given their time, energy and expertise in conducting the Department Commander's Confer ence, are due the sincere appreciation of this department. The group meets periodically and when called upon, advises and assists this department in its programs and activities. Appreciation is also expressed to the auxiliary presidents of the Georgia veterans' organizations for their cooperation and assistance in our programs and activities. Page 22 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Veterans Leadership American Ex-Prisoners of War Commander Bernard Porter 3315 Sandpiper Court Augusta, GA 30907 American Veterans of World War IIKorea-Vietnam (AMVETS) Commander Paul Q. Haynes 610 Hightower Street Valdosta, GA 31601 Auxiliary President Margie Williams 1100 Old Statenville Rd., M-l Valdosta, GA 31601 Blinded Veterans Association President Taylor Smith 1303 Hydaburg Lane Norcross, GA 30093 Disabled American Veterans Commander James Phagan 1714 Hudson Woods Trail Decatur, GA 30033 Auxiliary Commander Estella Watts 909 Rosewood Drive Columbus, GA 31907 Gulf War Veterans of Georgia President Ron Murray RO. Box 823 Decatur, GA 30031 Jewish War Veterans Commander Irwin Wolff 460 Grenock Circle, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30328 Auxiliary President Bari Walsh 4692 Cedar Parkway Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Military Order of the Purple Heart Commander John E. Pierson, Jr. 205 Casa Linda Drive Martinez, GA 30907-2303 Auxiliary President Jackie Proto 1534 Heath Street Augusta, GA 30904 Military Order of the World Wars Commander Col. Donald E. Kehaya P.O. Box 7601 Macon, GA 31209 Reserve Officers Association Commander William T. Baggett (Col., Ret.) 3013 Chapel Hill Road Douglasville, GA 30135-1709 The American Legion Commander William Olsson P O. Box 104 Statesboro, GA 30458 Auxiliary President Kitty Barrett 3770 Dora Drive Smyrna, GA 30082 The Retired Officers Association President Billy Holland 504 Wesley Oaks Drive St. Simons, GA 31522 United Spanish War Veterans Auxiliary President Marie Cruise 414 East Avenue North Augusta, SC 29841-3837 Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Commander Donald Ziegler 116 East Bobwhite Road Kathleen, GA 31047 Auxiliary President Carolyn Wilcox 1720 Morris Road Columbus, GA 31907 Veterans of World War I Commander Frank Pease, Sr. VAMC Nursing Home (1670 Clairmont Rd.) Decatur, GA 30033 Auxiliary President Mary Smith 2423 Parkview Circle College Park, GA 30337 Vietnam Veterans Alliance, Inc. President Marvin Myers 5879 New Peachtree Road Doraville, GA 30340 Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. President Steve Bramham 1795 Donna Lynn Drive Smyrna, Georgia 30080 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 23 Department of Georgia P. O. Box 47751 Atlanta, Georgia 30362 December 29, 1996 Mr. Pete Wheeler, Commissioner Georgia Department of Veterans Services Floyd Veterans Memorial Building Suite 970-E Atlanta, GA 30334 Dear Pete: What a blessing it is to have you leading the veterans of our great State of Georgia. Thank you for the many years of leadership that you have provided for veterans in our State and our Nation. As we look back over another year of service to Georgia's veterans, we can celebrate one great victory for Georgia's veterans. With your leadership, we were able to pre vent the move of the Atlanta Veterans Administration Regional Office to the Atlanta Federal Center. As you pointed out, had this move taken place, our veterans visiting the Atlanta VA Regional Office for assistance would not have had a place to park their cars since there would have been no public parking at the Federal Center. Though the battle is not yet over, it appears that with your guidance, we have convinced the Federal Government to construct a building at the Decatur VA Medical Center to house the Regional Office. As our State's veterans organizations gear up to fight for a new veterans cemetery in Georgia, we know that we can count on you to lead the fight. With your help, we will win this battle, and our veteran's widows will not have to travel hundreds of miles just to visit the graves of their loved ones. Pete, thank you for all that you do for us. Please feel free to call upon AMVETS at anytime that we may be of assistance to you. Sincerely, Paul Haynes Commander Page 24 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty OFFICE OF: STATE COMMANDER THE AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF GEORGIA 3282 East Main Street College Park, Georgia 30337 January 4, 1997 The Honorable Pete Wheeler, Commissioner State Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Bldg., Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Dear Pete: On behalf of The American Legion, Department of Georgia, I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you and the Department Veterans Service Staff our sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks for the excellent commitment and dedication towards im proving the quality of life for our veterans. The outstanding support and assistance that has been provided for these many years, has proven to be without any doubt, immeasurable and invaluable. It is deeply gratifying and personally rewarding to know there are individuals that genuinely "care enough to make a difference" and go the extra mile to do so. Our veterans can rest assured their welfare and concerns will be taken to heart. We sincerely appreciate your dedicated support and wish you much success in the future. For God and Country, WILLIAM OLSSON State Commander Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 25 December 17, 1996 Mr. Pete Wheeler, Commissioner Department of Veterans Services Floyd Veterans Memorial Building Suite E-970 Atlanta, GA 30324 Dear Commissioner Wheeler: Georgia veterans are, and have much to be, thankful for in this state, because of the many accomplishments you and your staff have achieved. Your example of making things happen are well known, not only in this state, but throughout the country as well. Convincing the Congress to change its mind, and build a Veterans Affairs Regional Office next to the V.A. Hospital in Decatur, and not in downtown Atlanta, is only one of those accomplishments. Good Show! We go forward in the year 1997 knowing that you and your staff will be there to lead the way for our veterans. In recognition of this, the Disabled American Veterans sends you their sincere thanks. One final thought, sir: When the final roll call is held up yonder, you will surely be present to receive die favorable judgment for the wonderful things done here. Sincerely, JAMES E. PHAGAN ^ Commander D. A. V., Department of Georgia Page 26 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Donald F. Ziegler State Commander 1996-97 Petmma of foreign pfars of tlrt ^otteh department of Georgia Fax # (912) 474-6853 Pager 1-800-612-3132 116 E. Bobwhite Road Kathleen, GA 31047 Home (912) 988-4729 Fax # (912) 988-4143 Honorable Pete Wheeler, Commissioner Georgia Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial building, Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334 December 27, 1996 Dear Commissioner Wheeler: On behalf of the more than 37,000 members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary in the State of Georgia, I extend my thanks to you and your entire staff for the outstanding job that you have rendered to our Veterans and their families. We certainly can understand that serving such a great number of people is a very difficult and perhaps even a thankless task at times. You and your entire staff have always accepted this challenge and you have carried it out with compassion and total dedication. Together we have faced the many challenges of this past year, our espit de corps represents the very foundation of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States "to assist worthy comrades; to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead, and to assist their widows and orphans..." your commitment is the same, and our hope is that each of you receive a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction from serving others. We assure you that it has been and will continue to be a pleasure to maintain this outstanding spirit of cooperation between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Georgia Veterans of Foreign Wars. Commissioner Wheeler your many years of experience and dedicated service is appreciated, and we look upon you as a cherished personal friend, as well as a friend to all Georgia Veterans and their families. The future will always have it's challenges but with your leadership and foresight success will be achieved. If we can be of any service to you or your Department please call on us. With waHKi personal regards Don Ziegler State Commander tttmi - tfhritt - nmtnfa Veterans of World War I OF THE U.S.A., INC. December 20, 1996 Mr. Pete Wheeler Commissioner Georgia Department of Veterans Service 970-East, Floyd Veterans Memorial Bldg. Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Dear Commissioner Wheeler: As State and Past-National Commander of the Veterans of World War I in Georgia, please allow me to commend you on all you do for veterans in this fine state. Your staff is always willing to help at every turn also, and for that we are grateful. Especially, this year, we thank you for speaking at the 44th Official Joint Session of our 1996 National Convention held in Atlanta in September. The Holiday Inn Airport North was indeed a busy place as 150 auxiliary members and eight World War I veterans attended various meetings, luncheons and banquets. It was truly an exciting time in our history. Again, we want to say thank you, keep up the good work, and Happy New Year! Frank Pease, Sr. State Commander Page 28 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Military Order of The Purple Heart JOHN PIERSON Commander, Dept, of Georgia 205 Casa Linda Dr. Martinez, Ga 30907-2303 Telephone 706-863-6890 December 14, 1996 Mr. Pete Wheeler, Commissioner Department of Veterans Services Floyd Veterans Memorial Building Suite E-970 Atlanta, GA 30334 Dear Commissioner Wheeler, The A. James Dyess Chapter 425 / Department of Georgia, Military Order of the Purple Heart would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the outstanding service that you have shown us this year. There has been multiple suggestions and opportunities for change to the benefits earned by our veterans, some we see as an addition and some we see as questionable, but please remember that we know you are working for the best interest of all veterans. Your office has a never-ending task before it, yet the respect and assistance that is given to all the veterans in our great state, has and will continue to be forthcoming under your guidance. As we end 1996, allow me to thank you once again for your untiring efforts on behave of the veterans of Georgia. To you and our fellow veterans have a happy holiday season and a productive New Year. JEP/sme Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 29 Gulf War Veterans of Georgia, Inc. Ron Murray President Paul Sullivan Senior Vice-President Brian S. Atkinson Vice-President Dan Gardner Treasurer Andres Iturbe Secretary Board of Directors Susan Atkinson Yancy Brown Gene LaCombe Membership Chair Reuben Mestas James D. Rogers General Counsel December 31,1996 Mr. Pete Wheeler, Commissioner Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Dear Commissioner Wheeler: On behalf of the members of the Gulf War Veterans of Georgia, I want to thank you for your outstanding efforts assisting veterans of Desert Storm. Because of your leadership and assistance, we have had several major accomplishments helping those with Gulf War-related illnesses. It has been a pleasure to work with you and your professional staff. As you know, of the 697,000 American soldiers who served in Operation Desert Storm, more than 100,000 claim they may be ill as a result of their possible exposure to various toxins during their service in the 1991 Gulf War. The toxins include oil well fire pollution, experimental shots and pills, pesticides, and radioactive depleted uranium. In addition, due in part to the research conducted by the Gulf War Veterans of Georgia, the Department of Defense now acknowledges that tens of thousands of American soldiers were possibly exposed to low levels of chemical warfare agents during or shortly after the war. The Gulf War Veterans of Georgia assisted with the drafting, editing, and distribution of a Gulf War Illnesses Self Help Guide, thus assisting both veterans and veterans service officers with the VA claims process. In Georgia, Commissioner Pete Wheeler of the State Department of Veterans Service assisted with our project by placing a Self Help Guide in each of the local SDVS offices. During the entire process, we have kept our mission clear: as long as we are assisting veterans with obtaining health care or completing the claims process, then we are successful. Your leadership, guidance, and assistance is paving the way for our success. We hope to continue our strong relationship with your office, your staff, and other veterans organizations. Paul Sullivan Senior Vice President Gulf War Veterans of Georgia, Inc. Post Office Box 823 Decatur, Georgia 30031 (404) 377-3741 a non-profit veterans service organization department ofthe (Southeast Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America Irwin Wolff, Commander 460 Grenock Circle Atlanta, GA 30328 Fred J Jacobson, Sr. Vice Commander 3904 Asbury Park Circle Birmingham, AL 35243 Barbara Simon, Adjutant 1500 Quarter Horse Court Roswell, GA 30075 PNC Alfred Schwartz, Quartermaster 994 Burton Road Atlanta, GA 30329 December 29, 1996 Honorable Pete Wheeler Commissioner, Georgia Department of Veteran Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Dear Commissioner Wheeler: It has been a great honor to serve as Commander of the Department of the Southeast, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, during its Centennial Year. In 1996 the Jewish War Veterans celebrated its 100 year birthday, making it the oldest veterans organization in the United States of America. This year the JWV had the honor of being the "host" veteran organization at the Veteran's Day observance at the Arlington National Cemetery. It has also been a very great honor to have worked with the Georgia Department of Veteran Service in our efforts to help veterans and their families. Because of the untiring effort of you and your loyal staff, Georgia Veterans are assured that all avenues available to help them will be utilized to the maximum. I look forward to 1997 with the knowledge you and your staff will devote the same tireless and effective efforts as done in 1996. Please accept our best wishes for a Joyous, Healthy, and Peaceful New Year! Sincerely, [/tASt** ''is Irwin Wolff Commander The Patriotic Voice of American Jewry Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 31 Georgia State Council \ Vietnam veterans of America, Inc. I! 1795 Donna Lynn Drive Smyrna, ga 300802411 December 30,1996 Pete Wheeler, Commissioner Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-970 Atlanta, GA 30334 Dear Commissioner Wheeler: On behalf on Georgia's Vietnam Veterans and as State President of Vietnam Veterans of America, I would like to express our appreciation to you and your staff for all you have done in support of veterans issues. WA remains the only Congressionally Chartered veterans service organization devoted exclusively to the Vietnam Era veterans and their families. During 1996 we have expanded our local chapters through out Georgia. We anticipate even greater growth for WA in 1997. We look forward to working closely with your office to provide needed assistance to all of Georgia's veterans. Thank you for all you have done for Georgia's veterans. WA stands ready to provide assistance to you at any time. Sincerely, State President Page 32 77D-80&Q291 or Toll-Free 1-888-WA-VETS Fax 770-436-6694 E-Mailsbramham@ilinks.net Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Marvin Myers President "In Service To Veterans, Their Families, and Community" Jan 8,1997 Honorable Pete Wheeler Commissioner of Veterans Services Flayed Veterans Memorial Building Atlanta, GA 30334 Dear Commissioner Wheeler, As I reflect upon the past year, I realize how important the services your Department are to the veterans in this state. Unless we are reminded of it or we know about veterans filing claims, we tend to overlook the tremendous job your department does in helping veterans with disability claims. In addition you are the agency that runs the service school to train those who are assisting veterans. The reports we hear about how the War Veterans Homes are being run under your new program are all highly favorable. Many of us wonder how you find time to perform all of the activities you oversee. Yet we also know you have surrounded yourself with a wonderful staff, and we appreciate the leadership you provide to your department and to the veterans organizations. As we have worked with you over the past few years in an effort to have a War Veterans Cemetery n Georgia, I have come to appreciate even more how you have drawn all of the veterans groups together. Pete you have been an inspiration to all of us. On behalf of the Vietnam Veterans Alliance and the Gulf War Veterans we thank you for your dedication. Marvin Myers President 5879 New Peachtree Road, Doraville, GA 30340 (404) 458-1985 1996 OFFICERS and DIRECTORS Marvin Myers, President H: (770) 717-7969 0: (770) 458-1985 or (770)452-8387 FAX: (770) 936-0133 James Blaylock, Vice President H: 981-2294 0:728-7626 Andy Wysor, Treasurer H: (770) 925-0249 O: (770)448-9331 FAX: (770)446-1574 Judy Humphries, Secretary H: (770)993-8312 O: (770) 528-1503 FAX: (770) 528-1501 Betty McClendon, Asst. Secretary O: (770) 535-5484 Ben Clay, Director H: (404) 992-1979 Jim Wood, Director H: (770) 493-7438 O: (404) 657-0316 Bob Ritter, Director H: (770) 664-5712 Susie Ragan, Director H: (770) 973-8773 Paul Sullivan, Director O: (404) 377-3741 GENERAL COUNSEL Michael N. Mantegna O: (770) 594-8878 GEORGIA VETERANS DAY PARADE ASSOCIATION OF ATLANTA, INC. Jan 9,1997 Honorable Pete Wheeler Commissioner of Veterans Services Floyd Veterans Memorial Building Atlanta, GA Dear Pete, As I was looking over your annual report, I thought abut the Veteran's Day Parade Association and how much you have done for Veteran's Day over the years. The committee that puts the parade together is composed of representatives of most of the major organizations including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans Alliance, Gulf War Veterans, Georgia Veterans Leadership Program, the League of Families, and active duty military. It should be noted that you and your staff have played a major role in Veteran's Day including arranging for the proclamation signing by the Governor's Office along with the Forces Command Commander, and band, and in arranging coordination among the Active Military Units to be a part of the parade. One of your legacies you impart is that we are all veterans, regardless of what war we fought in, what veteran's organization we belong to, or what branch we served in. You have brought us together and that tradition is part of our committee. We truly thank you for all of your help in making Veteran's Day a great success in Georgia. Sincerely, Marvin Myers President "FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE" 5879 New Peachtree Road, Doraville, GA 30340 (770) 458-1985 FAX: (770) 936-0133 CITY of GRIFFIN RICHARD CROWDIS, CITY MANAGER BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JACK C. SUTTON, CHAIRMAN RAYMOND HEAD, JR., CHAIRMAN PRO-TEM DOUG HOLLBERG, JR. BEN J. JACKSON, JR. JUDY BERRY LARRY C. JOHNSON RODNEY McCORD January 15, 1997 Mr. Pete Wheeler, Commissioner Georgia Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4800 Dear Commissioner Wheeler: As Mayor of Griffin, I would like to express appreciation on behalf of the City Commission and citizens for the "Supermarket of Veterans Benefits" seminar conducted at the National Guard Armory on December 11, 1996. The professionalism and dedication by you and your staff was clearly reflected by the number of people who visited the Armory and the claims filed on that date. The "Supermarket" was a success and proves that there is a need for a continuation of these services. It is important that our Veterans be reminded that we care about them and their families, and that we thank them for the sacrifices they made to serve out country. The City of Griffin would gladly assist you and your staff again when the "Supermarket of Veterans Benefits" seminar returns to our community. If I may ever be of assistance to you please contact me. Sincerely, JCS/lh cc: City Commission Mike Roby, SDVS, Griffin P.O. Box T Griffin, Georgia 30224 (770) 229-6425 FAX (770) 229-6630 Printed on Recycled Paper Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office 730 Peachtree Street NE Atlanta GA 30365 DEC 27 1996 Pete Wheeler Commissioner of Veterans Affairs State Department of Veterans Services Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Suite E-970 Atlanta, GA 30334 In Reply Refer To: 316/00 Dear Commissioner Wheeler: As this year draws to a close, I would like to share with you events and accomplishments of the Atlanta VA Regional Office in 1996. Compensation and Pension: In 1996, we paid $545 million to 102,565 veterans and survivors entitled to either compensation or pension benefits. Timeliness of compensation and pension claim processing, our most important indicator of service to veterans, continued to improve throughout 1996 despite the unusual hurdles we faced. The backlog created by the lengthy furlough we experienced at the end of 1995, as well as the Olympics, were serious challenges that heavily taxed our resources. However, we find that by the month of November, we met National timeliness goals in every category. We were similarly pleased with the results of the latest VA Central Office Quality Assurance review that found all review categories met the required level of success, and documented sound claims processing quality. Again, this was reassuring because we believe that timely claims processing with less than standard quality is not providing the overall service for which we aim. We have begun reducing at the backlog of appellate cases. An Appeals team was formed in August, and a third hearing officer was added recently. Again, we anticipate that this will result in a reduction in the time a veteran must wait for a personal hearing, as well as the time the veteran must wait for a decision following his or her hearing. Education: The Education Section of the Atlanta Regional office processed 314,816 cases during FY 96 which represents 26% of the national workload. This was also an increase by 24,915 in the number of completed cases when compared to FY 95. Consolidation of all education programs in the Southeast was completed with the receipt of the non chapter 30 education cases from the VA Regional Office St. Petersburg, Florida. The realignment ofjurisdictions in the processing of education claims resulted in the transfer of cases in which the training establishments were located in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. In Mid-August, a special team was established to process all out-of-system work. This team processes most correspondence courses, flight training courses, OJT/apprenticeship cases, and Coast Guard cases. It is anticipated that this element will improve our timeliness in processing these types of cases. During the first week in December 1996, the VA Online program was activated for veterans living in the states of Florida and Georgia. This program allows veterans and school officials to communicate with the Education Section through PC modem. The Assistant Adjudication Officer for Education has been instrumental in the development of the Electronic Imaging system scheduled for use in Education claims processing. This imaging system will be used to replace the paper based system we now use to process and store veterans' education claims. This system will also allow a benefits counselor to see a piece of mail as soon as it is received and scanned into the system. It will solve the problem of education claims files being charged out and not available for review. It is anticipated that installation of this system in the Atlanta Regional office will begin in the Spring of 1997. Loan Guaranty: We assisted veterans in obtaining over 14,000 home loans totaling almost 1.3 billion dollars. Our home loan Page 36 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty program remains a very popular benefit as evidenced by the fact more than 20,000 veterans received Certificates of Eligibility last year for the home loan benefit One of the highest priorities of the home loan program is to work with veterans who have suffered temporary economic setbacks and are in danger of losing their homes. We work closely with veterans and lenders to provide alternatives to foreclosure. Every success story benefits VA, the community and, most importantly, the veteran and his or her family. FY 97 promises to be an exciting year for the Atlanta Loan Guaranty Division! As part of the Loan Guaranty Restructuring Plan, Atlanta is scheduled to take over the loan processing/servicing workload from the Nashville VARO during the third quarter. Eventually, we will also assume the loan processing/servicing work from both the Montgomery and St. Petersburg regional offices. Outreach to Veterans: In FY 1996, Veterans Services Division benefit counselors made 351,574 contacts with veterans and their dependents who called, wrote or visited our office for benefit counseling and assistance. One of our top priorities continues to be providing assistance and benefit information to service members as they leave the military. The Atlanta RO conducts the largest military outreach program in the country. Full-time benefits counselors are outbased at Ft. Gordon, Ft. Benning and Ft. Stewart. Counselors also regularly visit Hunter Army Air Field, Moody Air Force Base, Robins Air Force Base, Ft. McPherson, the Marine Supply Depot in Albany, and the Naval Submarine Base at Kings Bay. During the year counselors conducted 999 briefings for 20,403 service members and provided claims assistance and benefits counseling to 13,129 individuals. Counselors have been trained to provide immediate and complete service to claimants calling or visiting the office. In the past, counselors assisted with the paperwork, but routed it to another division for processing. Now, all counselors have been authorized to use 15 disability and education award commands that allow them to input, update, change and terminate compensation and pension records in order to provide the veteran with more timely service. Veterans Benefits Counselors also take immediate action to process direct deposit requests and to issue loan guaranty eligibility certificates and restoration of entitlement. In August, we formed and began training one of our first employee managed teams, a group which was designated to handle all of the education inquiries from the public and to process the associated claims. In November our telephone equipment was reprogrammed to direct education callers to this team. The counselors specialize in processing education awards on-the-spot while talking to veterans and school officials, and thus improve the timeliness in processing education claims. Vocational Rehabilitation: During 1996, Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling has been involved in redesigning the way we do business. We will be able to perform the requirements of our job with greater efficiency while still considering the individual needs of each veteran. A recent streamlining of our work process has made a significant improvement in our timeliness. Last year veterans were in applicant status on an average of 85 days while this year the average number of days is 55. More significant, however, is the fact that during FY 95 we were able to rehabilitate 127 veterans and during FY 96 we rehabilitated 170 veterans, resulting in a 34% increase. The changes and modifications to all our contracts for services to veterans, as well as developing Fee For Service agreements with other facilities, has resulted in real improvement for all areas of our program. New Building We continue to pursue the collocation of our office to VA property adjacent to the VA Medical Center in Decatur. VA's Washington office of Asset and Enterprise Development is working closely with the DeKalb County Development Authority under an Enhanced-Use Lease provision of 38 U.S.C. Sec. 8161 etseq. It is anticipated that formal notice to the U.S. Congress will occur early in the first session of the 105th Congress. We are excited about the move knowing we can serve more veterans in a personal and timely manner at the collocated site. I ask for your continued support with this proposal. It has been rewarding to work with you and your staff in serving Georgia veterans and their dependents. As we move into the new year, I look forward to continuing our spirit of cooperations and service. j. GARY HICKMAN Director Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 37 RESERVE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STA TES DEPARTMENT OF GEORGIA 3013 Chapel Hill Road Douglasville, GA 30135-1709 February 3, 1997 Honorable Pete Wheeler Commissioner Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building-Suite E-970 Atlanta, GA 30334 Dear Commissioner Wheeler: On behalf of the members of Department of Georgia Reserve Officers Association, I want to extend our appreciation for all that you and your staff have done for the many veterans throughout Georgia during the past year. It has been our privilege to serve alongside other organizations with the Department of Veterans Service in working for the advancement of veterans causes in Georgia. Our involvement in the Veterans Day proclamation ceremony in November was especially important to our Department. We look forward to our continuing association with the Department of Veterans Service, and send our best wishes for your further success in the year ahead. Sincerely, Reserve Officers Association CC: State Department Executive Committee __ _____________ The Professional Association Representing All Officers Army 'k Nary Air Force Marine Corps Coast Guard Public Health Sendee NOAA FIELD OFFICES OFFICE ADDRESS - PHONE AtBANY-AMERICUS-CORDELE DIVISION Steve Shaddix, Manager Mike Bates, VBC 225 Pine Ave. Courthouse, Room 206 Albany 31701-2561 912-431-3253 Vicki King, VBC Carol Phagan, VBC 500 W. Lamar Street Room 28 Americus 31709 912-931-2546 Courthouse, Room 107 Cordele 31015-4216 912-276-2366 COUNTIES SERVED Dooly Dougherty Lee Macon Marion Schley Terrell Webster Wilcox Worth Sumter Crisp AMERICUS See Albany-Americus-Cordele Division ATHENS-ELBERTON-WINDER DIVISION Gary W. Locke, Jr., Manager Frank Crowell, VBC Harry Evans, VBC Jackie Terlaje, VBC Jefferson Professional Park, Suite D-1 Barrow 855 Sunset Drive Clarke Athens 30606-2285 Jackson 706-369-5630, 5631 Madison Courthouse Elberton 30635-1800 706-213-2040 66 McElroy Street Winder, Georgia 30680 Elbert Newton Oconee Oglethorpe ATLANTA-CLAIMS DIVISION Max Cotter, Asst. Commissioner Field Service Rick Roby, Claims Counselor Lenora Evans, VBC Floyd Veterans Memorial Bldg., E-367 Fulton Atlanta 30334-4800 404-656-5940 FAX: 404-657-1288 Note: VBC is abbreviation for Veterans Benefits Counselor Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 39 OFFICE ADDRESS - PHONE COUNTIES SERVED ATLANTA-CLAIMS DIVISION {fcGrtfd) Robert Morris, Asst. Commissioner Claims Howard Perdue, Assistant Supervisor 730 Peachtree Street, NE, Room 215 Clayton Atlanta 30365-6701 Fulton 404-894-5213 FAX: 404-853-3098 VA Phone: 404-347-3484,3227,3129 AUGUSTA-WAYNESBORO DIVISION Johnny Langham, Manager Angela Old, VBC Diane Shirey, VBC Gerald Clayton, VBC 1101 Fifteenth St. Augusta 30901-3196 706-721-4301, 4302 Columbia Burke County Office Park, Room 107 713 West 6th Street, PO Box 93 Waynesboro 30830-0093 706-554-3874 Burke BAtNBRIDGE-BLAKELY DIVISION Craig Couturier, Manager Brenda Rachel, VBC BLAIRSVILLE 123 North West St. Bainbridge 31717 912-248-2599,2663 Baker Calhoun Clay Decatur Early Richmond Miller Mitchell Quitman Randolph Seminole Roy E. Hamby, Manager Barbara Collins, Secretary Courthouse Annex, 301 School Rd. PO Box 782 Blairsville 30514-0782 706-745-6341 Fannin Towns BRUNSWICK Terry Smith, Manager Christine Herring, VBC Office Park Bldg., Suite 100 1803 Gloucester St. Brunswick 31520-6904 912-262-2345 Camden Glynn CANTON Walter A. Pinyan, Manager Rita Chastain, VBC 130 E. Main St., Suite 205 Canton 30114-2729 770-720-3538 CARROLLTON See Rome-Cedartown-Carrollton Division Cherokee Cobb Gilmer Union McIntosh Paulding Pickens Page 40 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty OFFICE CARTE RSVILLE ADDRESS - PHONE See Dalton-Cartersville Division CEDARTOWN See Rome-Cedartown-Carrollton Division CLARKESVIU.E'-TOCCOA"HARTWElL DIVISION Leonard O. Waldron, Manager June Mercer, VBC B. C. Fowler, Jr., Manager Hazel Walters, VBC COLUMBUS Quincey Horton, Manager Toni Fox, VBC Mary Poole, VBC CONYERS Comer of Hwys. 17 & 197 (E. Louise St.) PO Box 1135 Clarkesville 30523-0435 706-754-4316 Courthouse Annex Toccoa 30577 706-282-4525 185 W. Franklin Street, Room 5 Courthouse Annex Hartwell 30643-1594 706-376-4461 Jackson Square, 15th Street Bldg. A, Room 2-B Columbus 31901 706-649-1264 Tommy Clack, Manager Mylene Brett, VBC CORDELE 1329 Portman Drive, Suite A Conyers 30207-6619 770-388-5075 See Albany-Americus-Cordele Division DALTON-CARTERSVILLE DIVISION Pat Phillips, Supervisor, Area 3 Judy Johnson, VBC City Park Annex, 210 Thornton PO Box 1104 Dalton 30722-1104 706-272-2355 FAX: 706-272-2335 COUNTIES SERVED Banks Habersham Rabun White Franklin Stephens Hart Chattahoochee Stewart Muscogee Rockdale Walton Catoosa Murray Whitfield Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 41 OFFICE ADDRESS - PHONE DALTON-CARTERSVILLE DIVISION {confd} Bobby Gayton, VBC 156 McEver St., Suite 1 Cartersville 30120-3324 770-387-3746 DUBLtN-EASTMAN DIVISION Wendell Zeigler, Supervisor, Area 1 Ben Hitson, Assistant Manager Mike Martin, VBC Carl Vinson VAMC Room 124-6, Ward 6A 1826 Veterans Blvd. Dublin 31021-3699 912-272-4266 FAX: 912-274-7802 Jewell Jones, VBC 506A Oak Street, SE Eastman 31023 912-374-6977 ELBERTON See Athens-Elberton-Wmder Division GAINESVILLE Steve Dietz, Manager Jean Waller, VBC 311 Green St., NW, Room 307 Gainesville 30503-3764 770-531-6060 GLENNVftLE Clarence R. Adams, Manager Teresa Bigelow, VBC GREENSBORO Glennville Multi Office Complex 705 N. Caswell St., PO Box 444 Glennville 30427-0444 912-654-5159 See Washington-Greensboro Division GRIF FI N-NEWNAN-TH OMASTON DIVISION Mike Roby, Manager 235-A E. Slaton Ave. Griffin 30223 770-412-4023 Ken Mills, Manager 22 E. Broad St. Newnan 30264 770-254-7260 COUNTIES SERVED Bartow Bleckley Johnson Laurens Pulaski Treutlen Dodge Dawson Forsyth Gwinnett Hall Lumpkin Appling Bryan Long Tattnall Wayne Butts Fayette Henry Pike Coweta Spalding Talbot Taylor Page 42 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty OFFICE ADDRESS - PHONE GRimN>*MEWNAN-THOMASTON DIVISION feofffd! 205 E. Lee St., PO Box 461 Thomaston 30286-0461 706-646-6035 HARTWELL See Clarkesville-Toccoa-Hartwell Division LAFAYETTE COUNTIES SERVED Upson Robert S. Turner, Manager Anita Boxall, VBC LAGRANGE Hudson H. Highfield, Manager Charles Patterson, VBC MACON Robert A. Lindsay, Manager John Andrews, VBC Clay Harrell, VBC MCRAE See Vidalia-McRae Division Judiciary Annex, 108-E VillanowSt. LaFayette 30728-2519 706-638-5544 Chattooga Dade Walker 189 S. Davis Rd. LaGrange 30241-2819 706-845-4095 653 Second Street Room 203 Macon 31201-2817 912-751-3186 Harris Heard Meriwether Troup Bibb Crawford Jasper Jones Lamar Monroe Twiggs MILLEDGEVILLE Ernie Simons, Manager Lucille Durden VBC Vivian Howard, VBC Coy Tisdale, VBC Georgia State War Veterans Home Carl Vinson Bldg., PO Box 741 Milledgeville 31061-0741 912-453-4751, 912-453-1709 Baldwin Hancock Putnam Washington Wilkinson MOULTRIE See Thomasville-Moultrie Division NEWNAN See Griffin-Newnan-Thomaston Division Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 43 OFFICE ADDRESS - PHONE ROME-CEDARTOWN-CARROLLTON DIVISION Steve Rood, Manager Denise Frix, VBC Veterans Benefits Counselor Hope Mincer, Manager 201 Calhoun Ave. Rome 30162 706-295-6026, 6280 Courthouse #2, Room 108 100 Prior Street Cedartown 30125 770-749-2209 408 N. White Street Carrollton 30117 770-836-6760 SAVANNAH George Foley, Manager Richard Dunlop, Assistant Manager Jewel Middleton, VBC 440 Mall Blvd., Suite E Savannah 31406-4823 912-356-2537 STATESBORO-SWAl NSBORO DIVISION Lamar Faircloth, Manager Elizabeth Hunnicutt, VBC Jo Ann Collins, VBC 39 N. Walnut St. Statesboro 30458 912-871-1104,1270 Emanuel County Office Bldg. 101 N. Main Street, Room 3 Swainsboro 30401 912-237-4451 SWAINSBORO See Statesboro-Swainsboro Divsion THOMASTON See Griffin-Newnan-Thomaston Divsion THOMASVILLE-MOULTRIE DIVISION Jerry Poole, Manager Irma Henderson, VBC 101 S. Broad St. Thomasville 31792 912-225-4050 Larue Calhoun, VBC County Gov't. Bldg, Rm. 210 1220 S. Main St., PO Box 297 Moultrie 31776-0297 912-891-7135 COUNTIES SERVED Douglas Floyd Polk Gordon Haralson Carroll Chatham Effingham Liberty Bulloch Candler Evans Emanuel Jenkins Screven Grady Thomas Colquitt Page 44 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty OFFICE Edmondson Irby, Manager Sandra Wood, VBC ADDRESS - PHONE COUNTIES SERVED Tift County Admin. Bldg.,, Suite 111 225 Tift Ave., PO Box 534 Tifton 31793-0534 912-386-3856 Ben Hill Irwin Tift Turner See Clarkesville-Toccoa-Hartwell Division VALDOSTA Phil Youngblood, Manager Joyce Boyd, VBC VIDALIA-MCRAE DIVISION Jay Howell, Manager Loran Bryant, VBC WARNER ROBINS 2517-C1 Bemiss Road Valdosta 31602-1938 912-333-2178, 2179 109 Morris St. Vidalia 30474-3419 912-537-8305 411 W. Oak St. McRae 31055-0272 912-868-6391 Berrien Brooks Cook Echols Lanier Lowndes Coffee Toombs Jeff Davis Wheeler Montgomery Telfair William Malcott, Jr., Manager City Hall, Room 206 700 Watson Blvd. Warner Robins 31093-3414 912-929-1126 Houston Peach WASHINGTON-GREENSBORO DIVISION Luke A. Martin, Manager Jan Callaway, VBC Edward B. Pope Community Center 48 Lexington Ave. PO Box 891 Washington 30673-0891 706-678-2821 Glascock Jefferson Lincoln McDuffie Sandra Mauldin, VBC Community Service Bldg. 502 S. Walnut St., Room 106 Greensboro 30642-1443 706-453-7455 Greene Morgan Taliaferro Warren Wilkes Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Page 45 OFFICE vmvcRoss ADDRESS - PHONE John W. Morgan, Manager Glenda Lee, VBC WAYNESBORO 378 State St. PO Box 172 Waycross 31502-0172 912-285-6340 See Augusta - Waynesboro Division WINDER See Athens-Elberton-Winder Division COUNTIES SERVED Atkinson Bacon Brantl ey Charlton Clinch Pierce Ware Special Services Units NAME / TITLE James A. McMillen, Manager Marilyn Ferguson, VBC Charia Jones, VBC Walter Taylor, Manager Larry Samuel, VBC Wendell Zeigler, Area Supervisor Ben Hitson, Manager Mike Martin, VBC ADDRESS / PHONE VA Hospital - Atlanta 1670 Clairmont Road Room 1111 Decatur, Georgia 30033 VSO: 404-728-7611 VA Hospital: 404-321-6111 Ext. 6357, 6358, 6359 VA Medical Center - Augusta 950 15th Street Room 2D -149 Augusta, Georgia 30914 VA Hospital: 706-733-0188 Ext. 2218, 3916 1-800-836-5561 Carl Vinson VA Medical Center Room 124-6, Ward 6A 1826 Veterans Blvd. Dublin, Georgia 31021 VSO: 912-272-4266 FAX: 912-274-7802 VA Hospital: 912-272-1210 Ext. 2562 Page 46 Georgia's Veterans...guardians of liberty Georgia Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial BuHding Suite 970 Atlanta, Geoigia 30334^1800