Hello {First Name},
Please Note>>
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Korean Armistice
On July 27, 1953, military commanders from the United States (representing the United Nations Command), the Korean People’s Army, and Chinese People’s Volunteer Army signed the Korean Armistice Agreement, ending roughly three years of fighting of the 1950-1953 Korean War. The Korean Armistice Agreement is unique because although it is an agreement signed by military commanders, it was formally adopted in the UN General Assembly on August 28, 1953. The agreement served as the military ceasefire necessary to afford negotiating space for a final, diplomatic peace agreement. In 1954, Geneva, Switzerland hosted peace talks, but no formal peace treaty was signed. Thus, the Korean Peninsula technically remains in a state of war, with UNC upholding its commitment to the Armistice Agreement.
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The VAC Commissioners meetings for 2022 will be held on the following dates:
September 14, 2022
November 16, 2022
At the Gurnee American Legion Post (749 Milwaukee Ave).
All meetings begin at 10:30 am.
Visitors are welcome to attend.
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Veteran Memorials
Around Lake County -
Wauconda
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Thanks to all our
Iraqi War Veterans
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State Bill SB1975 - Disabled Vet Tax Exemption
This bill has passed both houses and has been sent to the Governor's Desk. As with any bill, the text is complicated, and there are lots of "ifs and buts", but in general, it provides for the disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption to be passed on to a surviving spouse. and Surviving Spouse. There are specific details on the eligibility for spouses.
There is also a clause that eliminates the annual filing for exemption for vets who are 100% and permanently disabled.
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House Bill 5184 - Veterans Assistance Commission Reform Bill
A Veterans Assistance Commission reform bill enacting changes to the state Military Veterans Assistance Act was approved unanimously by the Illinois Legislature in April. HB 5184 clarifies the funding relationship between Illinois counties and statewide Veterans Assistance Commissions. Once enacted, the legislation should help resolve several lawsuits between veteran organizations and county boards related to the funding mechanism for Veteran Assistance Commissions.
Governor Pritzker signed the bill on May 6, 2022. Click to learn more details.
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There are two separate programs within the Caregiver Support Program:
*** Program of General Caregiver Support (PGCSS)
*** Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
Click for additional information
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Military.com - 25 May 2022
By Jim Absher
You know that as a disabled veteran you are eligible for many benefits, the problem is knowing what they are and how to get them. There are many things you may be eligible for including free medical benefits, discount on hotel rooms, free fishing licenses, and more. While no list can cover all the benefits you are entitled to, this page will help you to know what you are entitled to, and how to get the benefits you deserve.
As a disabled veteran you may be eligible for:
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The VA long-term care services include:
- 24/7 nursing and medical care
- Physical therapy
- Help with daily tasks (like bathing, dressing, making meals, and taking medicine)
- Comfort care and help with managing pain
- Support for caregivers who may need skilled help or a break so they can work, travel, or run errands
You can get this care in many different settings—some run by VA and others run by state or community organizations that we inspect and approve.
Care settings may include:
- Nursing homes
- Assisted-living centers
- Private homes where a caregiver supports a small group of individuals
- Adult day health centers
- Veterans’ own homes
You can learn more about the different types of care below or see our guide to long-term services and supports.
How do I access these services?
You may be able to use one or more of these services if you meet all of the requirements listed below.
All of these must be true:
- You’re signed up for VA health care, and
- We conclude that you need a specific service to help with your ongoing treatment and personal care, and
- The service (or space in the care setting) is available near you
We may also consider other factors, like your service-connected disability status or insurance coverage.
To find out how to access these services, contact your VA social worker. Or, call our toll-free hotline at 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
If you’re not currently in the VA health care program, you can apply for benefits now.
Apply now
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If you are approaching retirement, or you have just recently retired, you might find yourself asking a lot of questions that you ignored earlier. Here's a list of some of them. Don't be misled by the simplistic "Solution" shown. The extent of the article content prohibited including the details. This is one time that it would be worth clicking to go to the complete article. | |
PGA HOPE is the Illinois PGA Foundation’s flagship military program that introduces golf to Veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being The program introduces the game of golf through a developmental six-to-eight week curriculum taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency, These session are at no cost to the Veteran! | |
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Clinic #5: Cantigny Golf/Summer
Female Veterans
Tuesdays, June 21-August 2, 4:30-6:00pm (no class July 11)
Clinic #6: Veterans Memorial GC/Summer
After HOPE (Veterans who have previously participated)
Wednesdays, June 22-July 27, 11:00am-12:30pm
Clinic #7: Veterans Memorial GC/Fall
All Veterans
Wednesdays, September 4-October 12, 5:00-6:30pm
Veteran Play Day at Pine Meadows GC
One day Veterans only outing
Wednesday, July 6
Veteran Play Day at Veterans Memorial GC
One day Veterans only outing
Wednesday, October 5
Contact Jim Nelson nelson-james@att.net to get notified when registration is available to sign up for a clinics.
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Also, The Illinois PGA, PGA HOPE, and Pine Meadow Golf Club are teaming up to host Veterans Play Day, a special one day event open to all Veterans who have participated in the PGA HOPE program. This event is intended to be a social event, and players of all skill levels are encouraged to participate!
Following are the details:
· Wednesday July 6th 2022
· Pine Meadow Golf Club - 1 Pine Meadow Lane, Mundelein
· 18 holes of golf
· 7am check in - 8am shotgun start
· Lunch, tee gifts, and prizes included
· $25 registration fee
Please follow this link to register:
https://ilpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/ilpga22/event/ilpga2248/index.htm
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Due to recently identified past water contamination, if you served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, you may be eligible for disability benefits if you meet all of these requirements.
Both of these must be true:
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You served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 cumulative days from August 1953 through December 1987, and
- You didn't receive a dishonorable discharge when you separated from the military
And you must have a diagnosis of one or more of these presumptive conditions:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Parkinson's disease
The VA appears to be way ahead of the Federal Government relative to this issue. According to the VA website, both medical care (for veterans and dependents), and compensation are available. Click here to see more details on the VA website.
To learn more about what the Federal Government is doing on a broader basis related to Camp LeJeune and other contamination issues, click here.
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A Word of Caution!
There have been advertisements on TV promoting a law firm to file your claim for Camp Le Jeune disability compensation. Do not go to any law firm that expects you to pay for filing your claim - or any follow up to the initial filing. That is the purpose for the Veterans Assistance Commission and their services are all entirely free!
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Crisis Hotline Information
If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (press 1) or via www.veteranscrisisline.net.
| The Newest Mundelein Star on Parade! | Donated by the Grand Dominion community in honor of all veterans. There are 148 veterans currently living in Grand Dominion. | | |
Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Veterans Back to Work Boot Camp, brought to you by Rivers Casino, is returning for a 6th year in a row this Fall | |
Fort Sheridan National Cemetery | | |
The transfer of the small parcel of Forest Preserve land (4.7 acres) adjacent to the Ft. Sheridan National Cemetery to the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is not a done deal. Without the transfer the cemetery will run out of burial space in 15 years. With the added space, we will continue to hold military burials there for 50 years, We encourage all veterans to send a short letter to the Lake County Board members voicing your feelings about transferring this 4.7 acres to the NCA. | | |
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VA is Here for You During Times of Emotional Distress
Feeling distress is a normal response to negative events, especially events that feel personal. Veterans and those who care about them are encouraged to learn more about available mental health and healing resources.
· Every VA facility has mental health specialists. Find one near you.
· Community-based Vet Centers are available to you. Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you.
· Maketheconnection.net offers stories of hope and healing for Veterans experiencing challenging life events.
· Call the Veterans Crisis Line 24/7at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, text to 838255 or chat.
· Have a question for VA? 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411) is available 24/7.
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Don't let the Coroners put COVID-19 on Veterans’ death certificates instead of the underlying issues as the cause of death
If you have a veteran death to deal with, check to make sure that any service related underlying cause of death is properly documented on the death certificate. If Covid-19 is recorded as the immediate cause, and if the contributing service connected conditions are not listed on the death certificate, a surviving spouse may lose their Dependent Indemnity Compensation . See item 5 in RSO Notes for further details. However, if the death was also caused by Covid-19, the survivor should investigate and apply for the FEMA Covid burial expense assistance discussed in the article to the right
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An Alternative Death Benefit
One of our readers pointed out to me that FEMA also offers a death benefit - IF the death is attributed to Covid-19.
Therefore, if you are dealing with a death caused by Covid-19 and there is no question about veteran survivor benefits, you should apply to FEMA for their death benefit. Here's an extract from the FEMA information.
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for funeral expense assistance, you must meet these conditions:
- For deaths that occurred after May 16, 2020, the death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
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For deaths that occurred from Jan. 20 to May 16, 2020, any death certificate that does not attribute the cause of death to COVID-19 must be accompanied by a signed statement listing COVID-19 as a cause or contributing cause of death.
Click here to go to the FEMA website.
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In all the situations below, you can always contact the VAC (847-377-3344) directly for further assistance. If you are struggling with rent or mortgage payments with the elimination of pandemic forbearance programs, Call the VAC immediately!
- Rent or Mortgage payments or Emergency Housing
- Utility payments
- Food - Northern Illinois Food Bank - See Schedule or
- Midwest Veterans Closet (See the calendar below)Medical Care - Contact VAC when civilian benefits lost - Do not go to VA if not registered with them. Contact the VAC to get you registered.
- Most VA visits are currently by Video Conference
- Family problems - In Lake County, contact 211 for referral to proper resource.
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Call 211 for Social Services
in Lake County
Anyone in Lake County who needs help finding health and human service support can call 211 and get quickly connected to available resources. Lake County 211, provided by United Way of Lake County, is a free, confidential information and referral helpline that will enable Lake County residents to get the help they need 24 hours a day, regardless of the language they speak or where they live.
The 211 network also answers dozens of crisis hotlines, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Know Someone Who Can Use Veteran Benefit Assistance?
If you have a veteran parent or know someone who might be eligible for some kind of benefits for their service, we encourage you to mention the VAC to them. We can assist with many different issues:
- Aid and Attendance Assistance
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Survivor spousal benefits
- Burial arrangements
- Upgrading disability status
- Job skill preparation
- Referrals for services we cannot support.
If you or another veteran you know needs help, give us a call at 847-377-3344.
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Your Coin Helps Vets In Need Through the VAC Not For Profit
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Coins are $5.00 and you can pick one up when you come into the office, or you can send a check (make the check out to "Lake County VAC - Not-for-Profit - and mail to the address below) and we'll mail it to you. Mail check to:
Veterans Assistance Commission
501 North Route 21, Suite 106
Gurnee, IL 60031
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The Job Market
At the risk of getting quickly overloaded, here are a few job opportunities that the editor has been contacted about recently.
IDES (Illinois Department of Employment Services) provides an extensive job opportunity notice periodically. If you don't receive it and are looking for a new opportunity, request to be added to the mailing list here: Lake County Job Center
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Volunteers Wanted!
There are several volunteer opportunities coming up. By clicking the button below, you can see the dates, times, and locations of each opportunity. If you can assist, please sign up below. Contact us at info@lakecountyhonorflight.org if you have any questions about a specific opportunity. The Lake County Honor Flight appreciates your support!
- Guardian Training
- Lake Forest Day Parade
- Mail Call & Sorting Night
- Departure Volunteers LCHF19
- Welcome Home Volunteer LCHF19
Click here to learn more and sign up
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If you're wondering what the VAC and other veterans organizations are doing. | |
8th Annual Sporting Clays Event
Thursday July 7th 2022
“Shooting in the company of heroes”
McGraw Wildlife Foundation in East Dundee, IL
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7th Annual Swingin' for the Vets Event
Friday August 26th 2022
Have you played White Deer Run Yet?
White Deer Run Golf Club in Vernon Hills, IL
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7th annual Shoot For The Vets event
Saturday October 8th 2022
Support Our Veterans.
Illinois Largest Outdoor Shooting Facility.
Aurora Sportsman’s Club in Waterman, IL
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VFW Post 2202 meets every 2nd Thursday of the month at 7pm at the Trickster Cultural Center. All are welcome to attend!
Contact Gina Roxas at ginar@tricksterculturalcenter.org
Click to learn more about Tricksters
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Assorted Military Association Meetings
We have now compiled a list of posts, detachments and various associations (currently MOAA, MOWW, ROA, Navy League) and their normal meeting dates and locations. This schedule will expand as we get additional information.
Click here to find your favorite meetings
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Veterans Path to Hope
See website for Veteran Support Resources
805 McHenry Ave Ste D, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
815-321-HOPE (4673)
Food Pantry and Home Furnishings
Click for Food Truck - every month, 3rd Thursday)
Click for other coming events
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Midwest Veterans Closet
Mobile Food Pantry and Clothing
Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Food (Grocery Style selection)
Clothing, Housewares, and
LOTS of Furniture
2323 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL
847-354-2108
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Mundelein Park District
Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies
1401 N. Midlothian Rd, Mundelein, IL
mundeleinparks.org - 847-566-0650
Click for details
Lake Zurich American Legion Post 964
51 Lions Drive
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
Coffee and Donuts - Every Tuesday, 8:30 - 10:30 AM
Mundelein American Legion Post 867
145 N. Seymour (Behind Taste of Paris, next to Rogan Shoes
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
Coffee and Donuts - Every Wednesday, 8:00 - 10:00 AM
Chicagoland North Chapter, Team RWB
Click for Chapter website
Contact David Christensen
Lots of events scattered around Lake County
Lake County Honor Flight Reunions
Meet 4th Saturday each month (Dec meet 3rd Saturday)
Lunch - Mission BBQ, Gurnee - Feb 18, 11:00
Breakfast Golden Corral, Gurnee - Mar 22, 2022 10:00
Animal Therapy for Veterans
Veterans and their families are invited to
Veterans’ Weekend at the SOUL Harbour Ranch, Barrington, IL
Last Sunday of each month.
TIME: 10:30am to Noon
WHERE: SOUL Harbour Ranch
22093 N. Countryside Lane, Barrington, IL 60010
www.soulharbourranch.com/
RSVP: Jodie @ 855-408-SOUL (7685)
QUESTIONS: Contact veteran liaison
USAF Pilot, Lt. Colonel Gina Stramaglio 316-708-9788
Northern Illinois Food Bank
There are three types of resources within NIFB
-- My Pantry Express
Pre-register at the link and order from list of items - limited locations and times
-- Mobile Food Pantry and CLC Pop-up Pantry
See below for the Lake and McHenry locations and times
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From "Marine Approved"
(Corporal Wabo)
Joke #1
Ask the Army to secure a building and they will set up a perimeter around it and make sure nobody gets out.
Ask the Marines to secure a building and they will charge in, kill everybody inside, and then set up defenses to make sure nobody gets in.
Ask the Navy to secure a building and they will turn off all the lights and lock all the doors at 1700.
Ask the Air Force to secure a building and they will sign a 10 year lease with an option to buy.
Joke #5
An Airman, Soldier, and Marine are sitting around talking about hardships they faced on their last deployment.
Airman: “The worst was when the air conditioner in our tent broke and it was 110 outside!”
Soldier: “WTF, you had air conditioners?”
Marine: “Wait, stop. You had tents?”
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I blame my lack of observational skill on my age now, but I just noticed that there are a set of menu tabs on the #VetResources page of the weekly VA News (Vantage Point). These tabs have lots of information and are generally easy to follow. | |
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VA Benefits - June 2022
The Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) offers education and training for high-demand jobs to Veterans who are unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep reading to find out if you’re eligible and how to apply.
- New Cancers Added to Presumptive List
VA has added nine rare respiratory cancers to the list of presumed service-connected disabilities due to exposure to fine particulate matter. Veterans and survivors who had claims previously denied for any of these cancers are encouraged to file a supplemental claim for benefits.
VA News - 6/1/22
VA News – 6/8/22 –
VA News – 6/15/22 -
VA News – 6/22/22 -
AARP recently launched its Veterans Fraud Center, a new education and resource hub to help protect Veterans, service members and their families.
VA News - 6/29/22 -
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MOAA 6/1/22
MOAA 6/8/22
Stock swings and inflation worries may have you pondering big financial moves. But rash actions could mean long-term losses.
Graduation season means more than caps and gowns – for some, it means complicated eligibility questions. Here’s a primer.
MOAA 6/15/22
Remote care became routine for many during the pandemic. Permanent changes to the benefit take effect July 1.
MOAA 6/22/22
A recent webinar on this topic was among MOAA's most popular online offerings. If you missed out, we've got you covered.
The bipartisan Dental Care for Our Troops Act targets a critical readiness issue. Ask your lawmakers to show their support.
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Here're some sample articles I found recently:
Have you ever met a veteran with blue collar cool? I don't mean a blue collar job. Lots of veterans have blue collar jobs. I want you to think of a veteran who has what author Ken Rusk calls "blue collar cool:" the ability to escape corporate America and make their own way on their own terms -- using blue collar skills.
In our neck of the woods, the veteran with the most blue collar cool is Chad. He was an Army special forces guy who transitioned into the building trade when he got out. He worked his way up to be the most in-demand project manager on upscale kitchen remodels. My neighbors all want Chad on their job so things are done right.
Military.com | By Blake Stilwell
You are probably familiar with Goodwill Industries. After all, a Goodwill store is probably where all your unneeded household goods end up before a permanent change of station (PCS) move. What you may not know is that Goodwill Industries does a lot more than resell used items for low prices.
For 120 years, Goodwill has provided communities across North America with things like career resources, job training, mentoring, certifications and credentials, and even job placement, child care and rides to work. Today, it gathers corporate partners to aid that mission through its Rising Together program. Services like those offered by Goodwill and its industry partners are sorely needed.
16 Jul 2021 Military.com | By Jacey Eckhart
There are 5 Kinds of Veterans Who Benefit from a MBA
1. You want to solve the problems of Big Business
2. You are hunting for a bigger paycheck
3. You are chasing wealth industries
4. You are aiming at a new location
5. You are sending a signal
+ + + + + + +
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There is far too much in the various issues of Military.Com to write or even extract from them. The trick is to find the pieces that are important to you. Therefore, we have provided a graphic that shows the various dropdown choices. As you will see, there is information on general news – with the choice to see the news for your own branch, service benefits, Job and transition support, military life and family issues. I get several versions, and then I’ll scan for titles that seem to be related to me. For example, I decided to try the the Veteran Jobs tab for Lake County. It provided over 400 postings for Lake County and Northern Cook County. See the dropdowns below. Then you can click on military.com to set up a subscription and select versions that you are interested in.
In addition, there are a wide assortment of resource links (including discounts for vets and families) to find other specific information. You might want to give the magazine a look.
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Below are the available hot links to some of the various VA Resources available. The actual hot links can be accessed at the bottom of the welcome kit . | |
How do you get "Veteran" on your driver's license?
Effective January 1, 2020, it will be easier to get "VETERAN" recorded on your driver's license. To get the “VETERAN” designation, veterans can bring their DD214 or other acceptable discharge document directly to a Secretary of State Driver Services facility.
If veterans choose to add the designation prior to their renewal date, they may obtain an updated driver’s license for $5 and an updated ID card for $10. Veterans over the age of 65 can obtain an updated state ID card at no cost.
A special note - If you are an older Vet and your DD214 was lost in the St. Louis fire in the early 1970's, you can obtain a "certificate" that replaces the DD214. However, for one vet we know, the DMV didn't accept that certificate.
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If you need a complete set of your military records
If you need a set of your military records for any reason, you can obtain them by faxing or mailing a request to the National Personnel Records Center. While they will accept a letter (if you get all the right information into it) it is best to use the standard form SF-180 to request it. You can download that form at Standard Form 180
Mail the completed form to:
National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
OR
Fax the form to 314-801-9195
If you need the records in emergency circumstances, contact our office (847-377-3344) and we can help you expedite the process.
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Deerfield - co-located with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Deerfield Facility
1755 Lake Cook Rd, Ste 1409
Deerfield, IL 60015-5209
847-948-6981 and 847-948-6982
Hours Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Palatine - located in the Palatine Township offices at:
721 S. Quentin Rd, Room 102
(847) 485-2772
Hours Monday -Thursday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Factual Accuracy and Disclaimer:
Accuracy is important to us. if you believe an error has been made, please email the Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission at veterans@lakecountyil.gov. Use of social media does not imply endorsement on the part of the VAC. Content on these sites is not edited for accuracy and may not necessarily reflect the views of the VAC.
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Have a good week,
Veterans Assistance Commission, Lake County
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