G t/A R D arm y * Who * Navy State of Georgi Department of Veteransl Service 2000 Annual Report Pete Wheeler Commissioner The Pete Wheeler Georgia War Veterans Memorial Plaza. (Memorials shown on back cover) Located in (lie front of the "Floyd Veterans Memorial Building,'' State Twin rowers, at the State Capitol Complex, Georgia has six state memorials erected to honor the Georgians who served and died in the military during the 20th Century. It exists not to glorify war, but to honor the warrior, and insure that all future generations understand FREEDOM IS NOT FREE! I PETER WHEELER COMMISSIONER (404) 656*2300 FAX (404) 656*7006 Jfbgir ^terana J&tmavvd liuUirttts Atlanta, (S^argta VETERANS SERVICE BOARD HORACE BORDERS. Chairman. Rockmart BEN PURCELL. Vice Chairman. Clarkcsville C. C. DUDLEY, Secretary. Royston . BARBARA J. AARON. Member. Warner Robins FRED T. FINCHER. SR.. Member. LaGrange W. D. HARRELL. Member. Bainbrioge HUGH MITCHELL. Member. Hiawassee January 31,2001 Governor Roy E. Barnes 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 shall furnish 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 behalf of veterans [o/ this 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 2000. Commissioner Contents Veterans Service Board......................................................... 5 Mission....................................................................................... 6 Department Functions............................................................7 Education And Training Division.......................................8 Information Division..............................................................9 Statistical Data.......... ............................................................ 10 Monetary Benefits....................... 12 Financial Report....................................................................13 Commissioner's Activities................................................... 14 Supermarket of Veterans Benefits.................................... 16 Service Officers School.........................................................17 War Veterans Nursing Home, Augusta........................... 18 War Veterans Home, Milledgeville...................................19 State Veterans Organizations............................................ 21 Veterans Leadership............................................................22 Directory................................................................................. 45 Distribution of VA Expenditures......................................53 Organization Veterans Service Board Pete Wheeler Commissioner Brian Zeringue Public Information Manager A.W. Tindall Assistant Commissioner Len E. Glass Director Administration Director James Jackson Director Education/Training Max Cotter Assistant Commissioner Field Service James Frederick Assistant Commissioner Claims Ray Masneri Director GA War Veterans Home, Milledgeville Charles Esposito Administrator GA War Veterans Home, Augusta Phil Youngblood Supervisor Area 1 Mike Roby Supervisor Area 2 Robert Turner Supervisor Area 3 4 Serving All Who Served Veterans Service Board The Constitution of the State of Georgia specifies that the State Board of Veterans Service be composed of seven members. Each member must be a veteran of the armed forces of the United States and must have served honorably duriJg wartime. The Governor nominates members w ho are subject to approval by the State Senate. Board members terms are staggered and are for seven years. From its membership, the Board annually elects a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary. Every four years the Board elects a Commissioner, through whom it controls the overall policy of the Department of Veterans Service. 2000 Board Members Horace Borders Ben Purcell Calvin C. Dudley Barbara J. Aaron Fred T. Fincher, Sr W.D. Harrell Hugh Mitchell Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Member Member Member Member Rockmart Clarksville Royston Warner Robins LaGrange Bainbridge Hiavvassee Members of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service Board arc (from left): W.D. Harrell, of Bainbridge; Barbara J. Aaron, of Warner Robbins; Fred T. Fincher, ofj LaGrange; Horace Borders, Chairman of Rockmart; Ben Purcell, Vice-Chairman, of Clarksville; C.C. Dudley, Secretary, of Royston; and Hugh Mitchell, of Hiawasssee. Serving All Who Served 3 Mission -..to serve those who have served 6 he mission of the Department of Veterans Service is to Tserve the 770,000 veterans (as of September, 2000) residing in Georgia, their dependents and survivors in all matters pertaining to veterans benefits. This responsibility falls into two basic tasks: informing the veterans and their families about veterans benefits; and directly assisting and advising veterans and their families in securing the benefits to which they are entitled. To support these missions, the department maintains a claims staff, field offices, an information division, and a central office. The claims staff is located at the Atlanta regional office of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at 1700 Clairmont Road in Decatur. The claims staff mission is to process claims and appeals of Georgia veterans. The field offices, located throughout the state, provide direct assistance to veterans at the local level. The Department representatives provide counsel and assist veterans in gathering the documents and information required to document their claim. The information division's mission is to keep Georgia veterans infonned about issues and how they impact on them. The central office is for the administration of these services. The uninformed may be prone to use the phrase "duplication of effort" when referring to the functions of the Department of Veterans Service and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; nothing could be further from the truth. To a veteran seeking benefits from the VA, the role played by the Department of Veterans Service might be compared to that of an attorney representing a client in court. The necessity for personal assistance in filing and pursuing claims and in maintaining a continuing information program results from the legal principle that veterans benefits are not awarded automatically---all must be applied for. The VA pays a veteran exactly what he or she asks for when they are entitled, and no more. The aim of the Department of Veterans Service is to obtain for a veteran or dependents the benefits to which they are entitled, to tell them when they are entitled, and to assist them in gathering and preparing evidence needed to justify a claim and prove their entitlement. The advancing age of World War II and Korean War veterans, and the frequent changes that occur in veterans benefits legislation, will necessitate the continuance of a variety of veterans programs in the years ahead. As Congress continues to seek ways to reduce the deficit, veterans benefits will continue to be in a state of flux. This means veterans will continue to need assistance in interpreting the changes and determining how they impact on their personal situation. Serving All Who Served 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 addition 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 of Veterans Service, and the General Assembly as to needed veterans' legislation. 10. Maintain files on all veterans who have fded claims for veterans' benefit 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 state in securing evidence for claims. 17. Promote enlargement and improvement of VA hospital facilities in the state. 18. Sponsor observance of Veterans Day in the state. 19. Certify eligibility for veterans' drivers licenses and honorary drivers' license. 20. Certify eligibility for disabled veterans' discount at Department of Natural Resources facilities. 21. Issue Certificates of Exemption from payment of business icense tax to qualified veterans. 22. Assist qualified veterans in obtaining honorary hunting and fis ring licenses. 23. Assist in obtaining special motor vehicle license plates for certain veterans: Medal of Honor and Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners-ofwar, handicapped and disabled veterans. 24. Furnish the Governor, members of the General Assembly, State Board of Veterans Service, veterans' organizations, and the general public an annual report on the activities and accomplishments of the department. Serving All Who Served 7 i Education And Training Division .... State Approving Agency y law, the Georgia Department of Veterans Service is Bdesignated as the State Approving Agency, responsible for approving and supervising all institutions and establishments in Georgia, which offer education and training under the provisions of the Veterans Educational Assistance Program. The State Approving Agency has the function of ensuring that institutions and establishments meet and maintain acceptable standards so that eligible persons who attend may receive educational assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This includes all public and private schools and all establishments offering apprenticeship and other on-the-job training. The satisfactory performance of these duties requires extensive knowledge in education administration and understanding the laws and regulations that govern and comrol the Veterans Educational Assistance Program. Georgia veterans enrolled in college degree and professional programs, technical career programs, vocational programs, to include flight training and on-the-job training programs remained at 12,103 level during 2000. Increases in enrollments are expected to continue as more veterans participate in the Montgomery GI Bill education program. Initiated in 1985, the Montgomery GI Bill program has proven to be a great success. The veterans' response to this program was such that it subsequently was made a permanent benefit for the military and now enjoys a huge participation, which continues to grow. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has expanded the veterans education benefits program to include vocational, technical, correspondence and apprenticeship training for reservists and flight training for both reservists and veterans. One of the most recent innovations was Public Law 106-419 which would allow DVA to pay for certain licensing and certification tests required for entry or advancement into a vocation or profession. In 2000, the approval of educational institutions and training establishments for the education of Georgia veterans resulted in the processing of 7,826 individual actions in the approval, reapproval, withdrawal and compliance survey process. The State Approving Agency also conducted regular inspection visits to ensure that approval criteria and schools' standards of progress are being followed as prescribed by law. During 2000, personnel assigned to the Educational and Training Division conducted 510 visits for the purposes of approval, reapproval, inspection and compliance surveys. Currently, the department monitors 849 educational institutions and training establishments. Laws recently enacted require stringent regulatory compliance in order to maintain controls on all approved types of educational establishments. The responsibilities of administrative approval, annual inspections, and ensuring corrective action where necessary, constitute a vital function of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. Serving All Who Served lhe information division collects, evaluates, and Information dissemenates information to veterans regarding benefits, changes in laws, and proper procedures to be followed in Division Tthe filing of claims. j When appropriate, the division mails news releases concerning veterans affairs to more than 450 ijiewspapers, radio and television stations throughout Georgia. : The releases are use1 d to inform veterans about the latest changes regarding jveterans affairs and to provide information on the status of proposed or pending legislation which may affect them. Field personnel promote the Department and the services it provides 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 various sources. Reporter Loretta Boniti, of WDNN TV in Dalton, interviewed Commissioner Pete Wheeler after Dalton Mayor Ray Elrod signed the proelamation designating December 7, 2000 as "Supermarket of Veterans Benefits Dav, " in Dalton. A quarterly publication, the Veterans Bulletin is distributed throughout the state to veterans organizations, VA hospitals, public officials and other interested groups and individuals. ! Public speaking forums are an important ingredient of the Department's overall information^ program. All Department personnel are encouraged to accept speaking engagements at meetings of veterans organizations and civic clubs. These personal appearances provide excellent opportunities for telling the veterans benefits story. j Department personnel also participate in local radio talk shows and make presentations at (local schools. The Information Division maintains a Department Web Site that is part of the Georgia On Linje Network. The web site contains information about Commissioner Wheeler, state veterans benefits, the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home in Augusta, and thI e Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville. Recent press releases, selected articles from the Veterans Bulletin and other items of interest to veterans can also be accessed at the site. [ The site address is http://www.state.ua.us/Departments/ Veterans. i 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 pamphlets are updated as changes occur in laws, regulations, or benefits. [ Through an aggressive internal communication program, the Division keeps the field offices informed about changes in the law and policy interpretations that impact veterans. Serving All Who Served ~5 Statistical Report he following is a report of the number of cases and types Tof services rendered by the Georgia Department of n Veterans Service during 2000. 624,671 New Case Files..................................................... .... 9,953 Letters Written...................................................... .. 40,965 Compensation and Pension.................................. .. 27,935 Education............................................................... .... 8,251 Medical.................................................................. .. 15,299 Insurance................................................................ .... 1,491 Loans ...................................................................... .... 4,974 Power of Attorney................................................ .... 7,373 Notices of Disagreement and Appeals Filed.... .. 12,231 VA Claims Folders Reviewed............................ .. 25,603 Drivers Licenses................................................... .... 7,412 Business Licenses................................................. ...... 193 Other Forms and ;Evidence.................................. 145,997 Miscellaneous......................................................... 623,592 TO Serving All Who Served Statistical Report Definitions CONTACTS: Requests for service or information (in person, by telephone or by letter). i NEW CASE FILES: Casels brought to the attention of the Veterans Service Department for assistance requiring representation. | LETTERS WRITTEN: Outgoing correspondence originated in the Department on behalf of claimants in developing their claims. COMPENSATION AND PENSION: Claims for monetary benefits submitted by veterans, their dependents or survivors. EDUCATION: Applications for educational assistance for the veterans and/or wives, widows and children of veterans. MEDICAL: Applications for treatment of a medical or dental condition; for admission to health care facilities; and vocational rehabilitation. j 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 guarjanteed loans from private lenders. POWERS OF ATTORNEY: The appointment of a service organization as a claimant's representative. 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. 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. BUSINESS LICENSES: Certificates issued to certain disabled veterans exempting them from the payment of business license taxes. OTHER FORMS AND EVIDENCE: Documents completed and transmitted in support of applications filed for claims. 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, welfare 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; vocational rehabilitation; and nursing home applications. Serving All Who Served 11 Monetary Benefits JT- he following is a report of the monetary benefits received Tby the veterans and the dependent survivors of deceased veterans in Georgia during fiscal year 2000 (October 1, 1999- September 30, 2000). The figures were provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Compensation and Pension Insurance Readjustment and Vocational Rehabilitation Construction General Operating Expenses Total $714,449,538 43,730,689 57,792,082 7,641,960 472,018,292 $1,295,632,561 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 serviceconnected deaths, pensions for nonservice connected disability for veterans, pensions to veterans surviving spouses and children, and burial expenses allowance for veterans. Insurance: Estimate of VA payment of death claims, mature endowments, dividends, cash surrender payments, total disability income provision payments, and total permanent disability benefits payments. The data is provided by the VA Regional Office and Insurance Center in Philadelphia. The estimate is based on statistical allocations using the veteran population to disperse amounts to geographical 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. General Operating Costs: Amount spent by the VA to operate the regional office, hospitals, nursing and domiciliary facilities and clinics in Georgia. Serving All Who Served Financial Report For the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2000 FUNDS AVAILABLE REVENUES State Appropriation Regular Federal Revenues Other Revenues Retained Total Funds Available ACTUAL $21,438,272.00 $9,956,968.44 0.00 $31.395.240.44 ACTUAL EXPENDITURES Personal Services $5,384,423.48 Regular Operating Expenses 296,305.49 Travel 100,487.10 Motor Vehicle Purchases Equipment 53,000.00 480,583.40 Computer Charges 25,433.45 Real Estate Rentals 247,057.94 Telecommu n ications 92,911.68 Per Diem, Fees and Contracts c 14,756,273.85 Capital Outlay 781,083.31 Operating Expenses/Payments To Medical College of Georgia 4: Regular Operatmg'Expenses for Projects and Insurance WWII Vetrans Memorial Year 2000 Project 7,302,615.52 692,500.00 128,000.00 4.515.00 Total Expenditures $30.345.195.22 Serving All Who Served 13 Commissioner's Activities "The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and the Members of the Board are directed to conduct education 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 and the rights and privileges of veterans," Georgia Laws 1945, p. 324. s in previous years, Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler was active throughout Athe state participating in veterans activities and speaking in support of veterans issues during 2000. He appeared before veterans organizations, civic groups and at professional meetings stressing the country's requirement to support its veterans. He spoke about the Department's service to veterans, the recent changes and challenges to veterans benefits and provided his recommendations regarding the future of veterans benefits and health care. Commissioner Wheeler `sounded the calf for Congress to "fulfill the well-documented promises that allow all Medicare eligible military retirees access to lifetime health care." The Commissioner emphasized the significance of the 50"' anniversary of the Korean War, publicly recognizing all Korean War veterans and their families. Commissioner Wheeler was also very active in overseeing the Department's ongoing construction and renovation projects affecting Georgia's veterans: the new state veterans cemetery near Milledgeville, the new alzheimer's wing at the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville, and the special physical therapy building at the Georgia War Veterans Home in Augusta. All projects are expected to be completed and ready for operation in the late summer of 2001. The Commissioner spearheaded efforts to get the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs to agree to building a new national veterans cemetery near Canton in the metro Atlanta area. Working closely with the members of Georgia's congressional delegation, he took part in the final site visits and review of site development plans. The VA projects the Cherokee County cemetery to be open for burials within five years. Commissioner Wheeler continued his active role as Chairman of the National World War II Memorial Advisory Board. He provided advice and assistance to the American Battle Monuments Commission regarding final approval of plans to begin construction on the national monument. In addition to the Department's recurring annual events such as the Service Officers School in May and the Supermarket of Veterans Benefits in December, Commissioner Wheeler participated in several special events in 2000. In April, the Atlanta VA Medical Center held its fifth annual "Play It Again Pete" Golf Tournament at Eagles Landing County Club. The one-day event, named in honor of Commissioner Wheeler, raised about $23,000 in donations for the VA's Homeless Veterans Program. In .lime. Commissioner Wheeler participated in the dedication of the new Veterans Affairs Regional Office at 1700 Clairmont Road in Decatur. That same day, the Georgia Department of Transportation honored the Commissioner naming.a 4.5 mile stretch of Clairmont Road "The Pete Wheeler Highway." Commissioner Wheeler served as the master of ceremonies when Governor Bames formally presented a $324,373 check from the state of Georgia to the American Battle Monuments Commission to U Serving All Who Served be used toward the construction of the National World War II Memorial. (The money, authorized by the 2()0() Georgia General Assembly, represented one dollar for every Georgia veteran who served during World War 11). On Veterans Day 20()0, the Commissioner was a distinguished guest at the groundbreaking ceremony for the WWI1 Memorial on the Mall in Washington, D.C. And continuing a long standing tradition. Commissioner Wheeler again served as Chairman of the statewide Veterans Day observance and master of ceremony when Governor Barnes officially proclaimed November 11,20()0 as "Veterans Day in Georgia" during a ceremony at the Stale Capitol Building. (ioviTiior Roy K. liana's (second from rigid) prcscnlcd a check to he used toward the construction of the National World War II Memorial. The donation which represents one dollar for every Georgia Veteran who served during World War II, was accepted hy the ('hainnan of the American Hattie Monuments Commission, retired Army General Fred F. Woerner. Jr. (second from left), and Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Pete Wheeler (fourth from left) who serves as the Chairman of the'National WYVII Memorial Advisory Hoard. Taking part in the presentation ceremony held in the Veterans Memorial Plaza across from the Georgia State Capitol were (left to right) Hen Purcell of Clarksville. Vice-Chairman of Georgia's Veterans Service Hoard; General Woerner; Senator George Hooks of Amcricus, Chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee; Commissioner Wheeler; Representative Ken Hirdsong of Gordon, chairman of the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee; Senator Fd Harhison of Coin mhos. Chairman of Senate Veterans and Consumer Affairs Committee; Governor Harnes; and Representative Terry Coleman of Kastman. Chairman of the House Appropriation Committee. The WWII Memorial will he located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.. between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. This will he the first national memorial dedicated to all who served and sacrificed during World W ar II. Distinguished guests from various veterans organizations statewide participated in the ground breaking for the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery on April Il). Spreading the initial shov elful of dirt were (from left to right) G.William Jayne, VA's State Cemetery Grants Director; Fred Fincher, Veterans Service Board memhenPctcr Boylnn, President Georgia Military College; State Representative Kenneth Birdsong: Commissioner Pete W heeler; Retired C.S. Army Colonel Robert B. Nett; Marvin Myers Chairman of Georgia's Veterans Serv ice Organizations; Ben Purcell, Vice-Chairman Veterans Serv ice Board and W.D. Harrell, Veterans Serv ice Board Member. Serving All Who Served 15 Supermarket Of Veterans Benefits rith more than 3,120 veterans and their families W taking part, and approximately 1850 claims processed. Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler termed the 2000 "Supermarket of VeteransBenefits" he at the Dalton City Recreation Center on Thursday, December 7th a great success. "The Program is extremely helpful for the veterans because so many different government agencies are assembled at a single location and claims are filed on the spot. The annual event is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Veterans Service in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and 20 federal, state and local agencies that are directly or indirectly involved with veterans benefits. The one-day program provides attendees the opportunity to gather information about a multitude of veterans benefits, (federal and state) to which they might be entitled. An added feature this year was a health fair provided by personnel from Atlanta VA Medical Center. Some of the free medical services that were available to any veteran attending included; flu shots, basic health and women's wellness screenings, basic Agent Orange and Persion Gulf War Illness evaluations and flu shots.Veterans were able to receive assistance in VA medical eligibility and enrollment and various extended care services provided under VA's coordination and Advocacy for Rural Elders, Home-Based Primary Care, and Community Health Nursing programs. Since it's inception in 1966 in Columbus, more than 136,859 veterans have been helped at the Supermarkets. "Supermarkets" have also been conducted in other cities across the state including Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, "This is an excellent example of team effort and cooperation when so many different government agencies can be assembled at the same time in one location to allow a veteran file a claim right on the spot," explains Commissioner Wheeler to JoAnne Shirley, National Chairwoman of League of Families of I'OW/iVIl A's (middle), and Pat Phillips, American Legion VA/Rehabilitation for the Department of Georgia (right). "Over the years more than 136,859 veterans have been helped through this event." Brunswick, Gainesville, Griffin, Macon, Rome, Savannah, Valdosta, and Waycross. Serving All Who Served Service s ome 400 individuals involved or interested in veterans issues attended the 2000 Service Officers School held at on Jekyll Island, May 9-12. The Georgia Department of Veterans Service in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the state's veterans School groups sponsor the annual conference. The Service Officers School is the Department's primary training tool. It is designed to provide attendees with up-to-date information regarding federal and state veterans benefits. ISill ill8liSrfStlS; lipliSlillllllii Stilt 'ffe The event brings together the veterans benefits counselors from the Department's field offices, the leadership of the state's veterans groups and national of ficials involved in veterans issues. "Our most basic tool is our knowledge of veterans benefits," is how Commissioner Wheeler explains the event's mission. "Our people must keep current on the issues affecting veterans, if we are going to provide quality service." Panels and presentations took place about benefits Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler reminded participants during his daily call to order. "We must remember, the opportunity we have here is to gain new knowledge, to better ourselves, so we can better serve those who arc the reason we exist, our veterans." for compensation, education, employment, retirement, social security, medical and hospital care, as well as loan, insurance and legal benefits. Participating in the 2000 conference were E. Dane Clark, Board of Veterans Appeals; John McCourt, VA's Director for Compensation and Benefits; Larry De Meo, VA's Director of Memorial Program Services for the National Cemetery Administration; David Gorman, Executive Director for the Disabled American Veterans; Frederico Juabre, National Veterans Service Director for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.; Gregory Bresser, National Service Director for the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Also participating was State Representative Kenneth W. Birdsong of Gordon, Chairman of the state House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee. "We niust not forget those citizens who, when asked, answered "Our nation will never truly meet it's obligation to the the call to protect men and women who sacrificed in the service to this our democracy country...there's always morethat can be done for the and our way of veteran," pointed out Frederico .luabre. National Veterans life," reminded Service Director for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the David Gorman. D.S. Executive Director for the Disabled American Veterans. Serving All Who Served 17 Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, Augusta he Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home is a 192- Tbed skilled nursing care f acility located adjacent to the Medical College of Georgia Hospital and the U.S.' Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta. It is operated under a contractual agreement with the Medical College of Georgia. Primarily a facility to provide care to aged and infirm Georgia veterans, the GWVNH also serves as a teaching facility to acquaint medical and allied health students with medical conditions and diseases that confront the aged. This provides the students with practical experience and helps them gain expertise in treating the elderly. The facility also houses the Georgia Department of Veterans Service field office, which services Columbia and Richmond counties. Dedicated in 1969, the facility was the first of its kind in the nation to be built with financial assistance from the federal government. It is one of a select group of such institutions in the United States that has been accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. In 2000, the GWVNH provided 65,256 days of care to Georgia veterans. There were 229 admissions and 229 discharges, and the average length of stay was 295 days. The average age of residents in the facility is 76 years of age. The GWVNH provided 43,420 physical therapy treatments and 9,742 occupational therapy procedures in 1999. To help provide care and treatment, the federal government provided financial assistance totaling $3,189,823 during 2000. In addition, construction began to build a multipurpose therapy room that will enhance the therapeutic services provided to veterans. Throughout the year, veterans organizations, civic and fraternal associations, and religious groups demonstrated their concern for the well being of ailing veterans through numerous donations and the continuing sponsorship of frequent veteranrelated activities. To Serving All Who Served Georgia War oving forward! Those words describe programs and Mservices being provided by the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville in this new millenium. During the past year, numerous changes have taken place in Veterans continuing effort to keep up with the needs of Georgia's veterans. Construction of a new Alzheimer's unit is underway in the Wheeler Building. Training for they key management staff is Home, underway and the dementia program will begin admitting patients sometime this summer or fall. The Wheeler Building itself has a new facelift and considerably Milledgeville remodeling inside. The administrative offices have been relocated to the Wheeler Building as well. New signage and beautifully landscaped grounds now lead visitors to these offices. "The Blue Goose," the umpteen year-old bus that has been the somewhat unreliable transportation vehicle for recreation activities, has been replaced. A grass-roots fund-raising effort began a couple of years ago. Volunteers, veterans, friends, family and staff raised approximately $58,000 towards the purchase of a new custom designed bus. Governor Roy Barnes provided the remaining money from his discretionary tax funds for the order to be placed. An early Christmas present arrived with the shiny, white, bright new Bluebird bus! The veterans enjoyed their first trips during the holiday season. State legislators recently visited the newly renovated old Georgia State Capital Building on the Georgia Military Academy Campus in Milledgeville. A number of veterans rode in the new bus to the GMC campus and greeted legislators when they arrived. It was their way of showing off their new bus and expressing appreciation for state support. The family atmosphere continues to grow with the expansion of The Eden Alternative TM, a philosophy of added quality to individual lives through the introduction of plants, children and pets in the nursing home environment. Quality First! Quality of care and quality of life continue to be high priorities for the medical and nursing staff. In 2000, the Georgia War Veterans Home received excellent state and federal surveys in the Russell, Wood and Vinson Buildings. The Wheeler Building, which houses domiciliary care patients, is riot subject to the same surveys as are the nursing facilities^ The home cpntinues to focus on quality and to monitor numer ous clinical indicators for comparison with other health care providers around the state and nation. The Georgia War Veterans Home always exceeds the standards and remains a leader in quality patient care in the state and the nation. Serving All Who Served T3 The new medical clinic on the Georgia War Veterans Home campus continues to provide veterans with medical specialists right on the Milledgeville campus. Dr. John Lane continue to provide outstanding dental services. There were more than 1200 dental appointments in 2000 requiring dental fillings, extractions, cleanings, and denture services. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and respiratory therapists continued to provide services to veterans. Also, restorative aides provide thousands of treatments to veterans throughout the year. Staff training remains a high priority and Mrs. Carolyn Leeder, RN, conducted several nursing assistant classes. Also, she trains for the Baldwin County Department of Family and Children Services. She conducted nearly 400 hours of staff in services. Also members were trained in CPR, and she conducted several general orientation sessions. While it is a challenge for many businesses and industries to find good help and turnover is high, the Georgia War Veterans Home is blessed to have a loyal and caring team of employees. Employee turnover in long-term care averages more than 100% across the nation. Fortunately, turnover at the Georgia War Veterans Home was only 54.3%. Ray Masneri, executive director, attributes the low turnover to the "team" effort of the employees work hardj but they participate in the "Spirited" committee and compete in the "Go for the Gold" quality recognition program. Veterans Are Special Veterans continue to benefit from the generosity of various veteran service organizations, civic associations and church groups through the sponsorship of numerous activities throughout the year. Volunteers were recognized in April during National Volunteer Appreciation Week. Overall, there were 916 volunteers who collectively volunteered 3,024 hours. Add to that $23,863 donated in cash money and $78,005 was .the,estimated value of donated items. Also, the total donated for the bus: was, $58,4002. There were 28 groups from the American Legion and Auxiliary, 89 groups from the FWV and Ladies Auxiliary, 29 groups from DAV and DAVA, eight groups from AM VETS, and 11 group from the Elks. Jenny Roach, recreation services coordinator for GWVH, was recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Affairs of the United States for her "exemplary service and assistance...to veterans and their families." Activities Abound Always a highlight is Veterans Day. Major General Peter J. Boyland, president of Georgia Military College, was the keynote speaker for the gala event. Georgia Military College cadets paraded, a platoon of veterans marched, and there was musical entertainment. An Air force plane flew over at the closing of the ceremony. Everyone enjoyed a great lunch at the pavilion. Soldiers from the U.S. Army base at Ft. Benning displayed Humvees and high tech military weapons. Approximately 2,000 school children from the area elementary schools entered a Veterans Day coloring contest. Community Relations Throughout the year, various organizations, schools, colleges, groups and individuals participated in a variety of community relations programs. Media support continues to be excellent with outstanding news coverage on special events and many special feature stories on individuals and activities at the home. The staff has begun publishing a quarterly newsletter, The Veterans Voice, which is filled with lots of news. The newsletter is circulated to veterans organizations and community leaders throughout Georgia. The 8-minute video, "Serving Those Who Served," continues to be a "feature film" at veteran organizations throughout Georgia. If you have a group or organization that would like to use the video, please contact Ray Masneri or Jenny Roach at the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville at 888-453-6836. Or you may contact your local veterans service office. W---------------:------. . ,. ..--T--- Serving All Who Served State Veterans n rendering service to the veterans of Georgia, the IDepartment of Veterans Service works closely with the state's veterans organizations and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Commanders of the veterans organizations in Georgia, Organizations who so generously give their time, energy and expertise in conducting the Department Commanders Conference, 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. Coiitinuin^