Happy Birthday to the United States Air Force

September 18. 1947

OK Kids - Back to School!

Do I have to???

Yes, you do!!!

OK!

    In 1971, during the Vietnam War, Mary Hoff, member of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia and wife of MIA Lt. Commander Michael Hoff U.S.N., proposed the creation of a symbol for American POW/MIAs. The POW/MIA flag was created for the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia and is officially recognized by the U.S. Congress in conjunction with the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue, "as the symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation." Click to read more about POW/MIA day.

    For a different perspective, read the Military.com Article - 4 Things to Know About POW/MIA Recognition Day

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.

Veteran Memorials

Around Lake County -

Zion

Thanks to all our

Korean War Veterans



  The PACT Act Is LAW!  

The PACT Act is a historic new law that will help VA deliver for millions of Veterans — and their survivors — by empowering us to presumptively provide care and benefits to Vets suffering from more than 20 toxic exposure-related conditions. It will also bring generations of Veterans into VA health care, which will improve Veteran health outcomes across the board.

We at VAC are ready to implement the PACT Act and deliver for toxic-exposed Veterans and their survivors. If you think you might be eligible for PACT Act benefits, The VAC has developed a clearly written document outlining eligible veterans from all conflicts and the covered diseases.  Click here to download the document.

• You can apply for PACT Act-related benefits now by filing a claim at the VAC.
• As President Biden announced at the bill signing, we are making all 23 presumptive conditions in the PACT Act eligible for benefits effective today, August 10, 2022.

You can also learn more about the PACT Act by visiting VA.gov/PACT or calling 1-800-MyVA411.

Thank you to all of the Veterans, survivors and family members who fought tirelessly to make this day possible, and thank you to President Biden for keeping our nation’s promise to those who served. We at VA will stop at nothing to make sure that every Veteran and every survivor gets the PACT Act-related care and benefits they deserve." - VA Secretary Denis R. McDonough

Your Questions, Answered: The Honoring Our PACT Act

Get details on the benefits included in the legislation, its path through Congress, and more.

An Additional Resource:  Your PACT Act Resource List (From MOAA)

And a Word of Caution

With the passage of the PACT Act, you can expect to find the lawyers reaching out in all sorts of ways to help you file your claims for all sorts of diseases related to burn pits and other causes of contamination. (See the article on Camp LeJeune below). Remember that the role of the Veterans Assistance Commission is to help you sort through the new law, your eligibility for filing any claims and then to actually file these claims - all for free!  

Advocates Worry Scammers Will Soon Target Vets Due to Receive New Burn Pit Benefits

17 Aug 2022

Military.com | By Drew F. Lawrence

Veterans who have been waiting more than a decade for dedicated burn pit compensation and health care might have one more thing to worry about as they wait for last week's historic toxic exposure legislation to take effect.

Scammers.

President Joe Biden signed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics, or PACT, Act into law last week. Just days later, as veterans are submitting their claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs and Congress is working out funding, one nonprofit is cautioning former service members to be wary of unsolicited contact from people looking to cash in on the moment.

A Last Minute Update

The Lake County Forest Preserve Planning Committee held a good meeting on August 29th which was attended by crowded room full of Veterans from around Northern Illinois, and they listened to approximately twenty of them speak their minds about how important the Fort Sheridan Cemetery is to them.  At the end the Committee polled and they were unanimously in favor of moving the 4.7 acre land transfer forward as quickly as possible.  It is still a pretty bureaucratic process between 4 government units, but a couple speakers encouraged them to move issues and processes in parallel paths rather that waiting for one after another.

Since there are a number of stumbling blocks ahead, we still 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 or click the link below to sign the electronic petition.

The electronic petition reads:

We urge the board members of Lake County & Lake County Forest Preserve District to approve the transfer of 4.7 acres of forest preserve property adjacent the Fort Sheridan National Cemetery to the Veterans Administration. If approved the VA has agreed to relieve the district from maintaining the cemetery. The additional land will extend the use of the cemetery for 50 years. We believe that the Fort Sheridan Cemetery is the proper place of honor for our nations defenders and provide comfort for their families. All the chartered Veteran organizations support this project.

Click here to complete and submit the electronic petition

If you prefer, this petition was recently sent to everyone. In case you missed it, we are including it here also. If you have already submitted your signature, please DO NOT send another one.

We are now in the process of collecting petitions to be submitted to the Forest Preserve District Board (whose members are also the Lake County Board Members). We need your help to reach 20,000 petition signatures. Please click here to print out the petition and sign it. Then ask your neighbors to also sign it. Then mail it to:

Colonel Mike Peck (USA, Ret)

3327 Hutchinson Rd

Mundelein, IL 60060

With your support, we want to submit 20,000 signatures to the Board.

Thanks for your help.

As the Guardian of a 35-year Army and National Guard veteran, I had the humble position of man-servant to Tony who served from 1946 through 1981.  The Lake County Honor Flight takes 24 veterans (including one Female Navy Vietnam veteran) for a 2-3 day trip to Washington DC.  When asked about what the most important thing they did, the answers covered everything:

• The monuments
• The camraderie
• The quality of the Staff
• The Kissing Bandit (ask around - you might find out what that is all about!)
• The emotion we all felt as we were cheered through Milwaukee and Reagan Airports.

Tony had never been to Washington.  To see the massive government buildings and the monuments stirred him in ways he couldn't imagine feeling and he was grinning like a Cheshire cat when we returned to the cheering family members and friends who greeted us in North Chicago on our return.  

For me, it was enormously rewarding to put Tony's needs first and to be able to serve him in a way that said "You and your 23 brothers and sister on this trip are the Heroes. We, the guardians are here to serve you. "

Gov. Pritzker Signs Seven Pieces of Legislation

Further Honoring and Protecting Illinois Service Members

One of the more important bills signed is

House Bill 3865

HB 3865 establishes additional consumer protections to protect service members and veterans. Championed by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Illinois Attorney General's Office, the new law requires private companies that advertise veterans' and service members' benefits appeal services to publicly disclose the same services are available free of charge through county veterans' services officers and other governmental agencies.

The other bills signed included:

• HB1290 - To allow improperly discharged LGBTQ veterans to apply for upgraded discharges.
• HB2776 - To expedite transitioning veteran professional license applications to be approved within 30 days.
• SB505 - To provide a state of Illinois flag for any National Guard member dying on active duty or in State required training.
• SB2089 - Allows Illinois Department of Natural Resources Parks to fly the POW/MIA flag in addition to the US Flag and the State of Illinois Flag.
• HB1915 Allows issuance of a Folds of Honor decal for license plates.
• HB2894 - Declares the first Saturday in May "Veteran Gardening Day"

Click to read the entire press release.

On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court held in Obergefell v. Hodges that the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-state. 

Accordingly, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) now recognizes all same-sex marriages without regard to a veteran’s state of residence. However, 38 U.S.C. 101(3) and § 101(31) define "surviving spouse" and "spouse" as persons "of the opposite sex." These definitions were not specifically addressed in the Supreme Court’s decision or by a subsequent statute.

The Veterans Marriage Recognition Act would amend the existing statutes and define a spouse as “who was lawfully married to a veteran, including a marriage between two persons of the same sex.” This bill would also remove the requirement “of the opposite sex.”

DAV supports S. 4308—the Veterans Marriage Recognition Act of 2022, which would codify the VA’s current practice of recognizing same-sex marriages into law. This would provide protection of same-sex marriages within the VA and not allow a change based on policy.

Please contact your Senators and urge their support for this important protection. Thank you for your support of America’s disabled veterans and their families.

Take Action!

Click for more details



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

Two Words of Caution about Camp Lejeune!

First - Here is a true SCAM email I received recently - If I was a skeptic, I'd believe that my email address was was hacked from my registration on the Camp Lejeune registry.

Second, there have been advertisements on TV promoting a law firm to file your claim for Camp Lejeune 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!

Note that the recently signed Illinois House Bill 3865 addresses this problem - see the article above.

Download the complete flyer

Lynch Foundation 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

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

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 upcoming events

Midwest Veterans Closet

Food Pantry,Clothing, Housewares, Linens, Shoes/Boots

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

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

VA Benefits - September 2022

• Yellow Ribbon School Aid

If you’re a current or prospective student Veteran, the Yellow Ribbon Program can help you afford your tuition for out-of-state college, graduate school, and various training programs that the GI Bill doesn’t cover. Find out if you're eligible for the Yellow Ribbon program.

• Fiduciaries Use FAST to Better Manage Finances

VA's fiduciary program protects Veterans and other beneficiaries who, due to injury, disease, or age, are unable to manage their financial affairs. Learn how the Fiduciary Accounting Submission Tool (FAST) makes the accounting process easier for fiduciaries.

• Gain Independence With the VR&E Program

Does your service-connected disability limit your daily activities and ability to work? You may qualify for the Independent Living track through VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits program. Find out if you’re eligible for VR&E services to help you live as independently as possible.

VA News -8/3/22 - 

• VA Secretary's Statement on the Passage of the PACT Act

“Veterans who were exposed to toxic fumes while fighting for our country are American heroes, and they deserve world-class care and benefits for their selfless service. The bipartisan PACT Act will help VA deliver for those Veterans—and their survivors—by empowering us to presumptively provide care and benefits to Vets suffering from more than 20 toxic exposure-related conditions.

   To those Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors: you can apply for PACT Act benefits by filing a claim at VA.gov, and you can learn more about the PACT Act at VA.gov/PACT or by calling us at 1-800-MyVA411. VA will be communicating with you every step of the way to make sure that you and your loved ones get the benefits you’ve earned.

VA News – 8/10/22 –

• G.I. Bill Tool Makes Comparing Benefits at Approved Schools Easier than Ever

The updated G.I. Bill Comparison Tool makes comparing your G.I. Bill benefits at approved schools, employers and VET TEC providers easier than ever before.

VA News – 8/17/22 -  

• Help for Afghanistan Veterans and Families

Veterans who served in Afghanistan may be experiencing a range of challenging emotions as we embark on the one-year anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from the country. Check out the links below for resources available to Veterans who served in Afghanistan.

• Are You Vaccinated Against COVID-19 and Have You Received a Booster? Take This Short Survey and Help Us Improve VA Services.
• Veterans and Military Students Find Resources, Connect on Campus

Through a network of more than 1,500 on-campus chapters in all 50 states and three countries representing more than 750,000 student Veterans, Student Veterans of America assists Veterans and military students by connecting them with a community of dedicated chapter leaders.

VA News – 8/24/22 - 

• Free Entrepreneurship Training for Veterans

Warrior Rising's Veterans Business Accelerator Program is facilitated by successful small business owners who are also Veterans. Join a group of fellow Veterans who are either exploring entrepreneurship as a career path choice or already have active small businesses and want to learn more

• Improvements to Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry

VA is working to improve the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry questionnaire. 

MOAA 8/3/22

• Roth or Traditional? Know the Difference Before You Decide

Get a breakdown of both types of retirement accounts, and use a MOAA resource to run the numbers.

• Expansion of VA Caregiver Program to All Eras of Service Still Set for October

About 33,000 families are enrolled in the 11-year-old program.

• Congressional Gold Medal Event Honors Oldest Living Member of ‘Six Triple Eight’

The battalion of African American women was the only unit of its kind to serve overseas during World War II.

MOAA 8/10/22

• Veterans Can Start Filing Claims Now for PACT Act Benefits

The MOAA-backed bill could help 3.5 million veterans access health care in the coming years.

MOAA 8/17/22

• As Inflation Rises, Consider Giving the Gift of I Bonds

MOAA 8/24/22

• Are You Paying Too Much for Medicare Part B?

If your income has dropped, you may be able to seek a reduction in your Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA.

• How Scammers Are Targeting Veterans Eligible for New PACT Act Benefits

Expanded access to VA care and compensation provides fertile ground for fraud. Learn how to stay safe.

• VA by the Numbers: A Big-Picture Look at Benefits

These facts and figures offer a glimpse at what this department offers to veterans and survivors.

Here're some sample articles I found recently:

• Tricare to Start Charging for Telehealth Appointments But Makes Phone Visits Permanent
• Veterans Can Start Filing New Claims Now for 23 Illnesses Covered Under New Law | Military.com

The Department of Veterans Affairs has established a website explaining the details of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics, or PACT, Act, and encourages veterans to file claims and apply for health care coverage.

• 9 Things Every American Should Know About the Navajo Code Talkers
• PTSD and Marriage: 5 Things Spouses Need to Know
• The Pros and Cons of Being an ‘Open Networker’ on LinkedIn

+ + + + + + +

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

Saint Louis, MO 63138.

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.