Hello {First Name},
Please Note>>
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Purple Heart Day
August 7th
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An extra Thank You to all who wear this ribbon. You were the ones who were most in harms way and you didn't flinch!
The War Is Finally Over
August 15th
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How far we've come! From total destruction of an enemy to partners as world leaders in so many different ways.
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Happy Birthday, To Our Coastal First Responders!
5 Awesome Things to Know About US Coast Guard History for Its Coming Birthday
Aug. 4, 1790 (232 years!)
1. The Coast Guard Is Older than the Navy.
2. The Coast Guard Is Also a Blue-Water Naval Force.
3. The Coast Guard Has Its Own Special Operators.
4. Remember the Coast Guard's Medal of Honor Recipient.
5. Coast Guard Officers Train Aboard a Captured Nazi Sailing Ship.
Click here to learn more about these interesting details
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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 -
Waukegan
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Thanks to all our
World War II Veterans
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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 or click the link below to sign the newly created 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
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Our Editor is a Vietnam Vet and went on Honor Flight #13. Apparently he didn't have enough fun, so he's going along on Flight #19 as a Guardian of a Korean Vet. He is also very committed to the program and Paula (founder and Executive Director), John (President of the Board) and their team.
There is no way to explain what the vets feel on this trip - partly because most have never experienced anything like it, and partly because it can be quite different for each one depending on what their military experience was like. But it is frequently quite emotional.
Each vet is assigned a Guardian who is responsible for making this an unforgettable event for them by carrying their gear, pushing their wheel chairs, taking their pictures and serving in whatever way they can. Many guardians are children or relatives of the vet (not the spouse - unless they are vets too). Others are friends. Some just want to be part of the program.
There are three Honor Flights in the nearby area - Chicago, McHenry County and Lake County. Ours is the only one to provide a 3-day trip. We are now serving Korean and Vietnam vets. Unfortunately there are very few World War II vets still able to take the trip.
What the program is still working on is to expand the number of Women Vets interested and able to take the trip. There was one Chicago trip specifically for Woman Vets, but Lake County would love to encourage more to take the regular trip.
Volunteers Wanted!
There are several volunteer opportunities coming up where you can begin to get acquainted with the Honor Flight program and help to make Flight #19 memorable. By clicking the button below, you can see the dates, times, and locations of each opportunity. If you can assist, please sign up below. Click here to learn more and to sign up to help out. The Lake County Honor Flight appreciates your support!
- Lake Forest Day Parade - Join the Honor Flight Float - Wednesday August 3rd
- Mail Call & Sorting Night - This is fun - Help assemble mail bags for the 24 vets taking the flight Wed 8/17 from 7-9 pm
- Departure Volunteers LCHF19 - Call for all corvettes and all motorcycles to join the escort from North Chicago up to Milwaukee Mitchell Airport for a VERY EARLY departure!
- Welcome Home Volunteer LCHF19 - Call for all corvettes and all motorcycles to join the escort from Milwaukee Mitchell Airport back to North Chicago - mid afternoon on Sunday. This is a big kick for the returning vets!
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Gov. Pritzker Signs Seven Pieces of Legislation
Further Honoring and Protecting Illinois Service Members
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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.
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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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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!
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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. | | |
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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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Two Words of Caution about Camp Lejeune!
First - Here is a true SCAM email I received recently - If I was a sceptic, 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.
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Lake County VAC Prayers and Support go to Highland Park | Members of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Teams throughout Lake County have been called out to assist at the counselling center supporting the aftermath of this tragedy. | | |
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Lovell FHCC is administering second booster shots to adults 50 and older and immunocompromised patients 12 and up - by appointment Monday through Friday. For those who received one primary dose and the first booster of the Janssen vaccine, eligibility for a second booster is 18 and older.
Tricare eligible dependents aged 5-11 may also now schedule and receive COVID-19 Booster shots at Lovell and we expect to start administering vaccines to patients under the age of 5 starting in early July.
Please check our website and FHCC Facebook page for the most up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine information.
Appointments are encouraged. To schedule appointments for adult and pediatric TRICARE beneficiaries, call 1-800-941-4501. All other Lovell FHCC patients can call 224-610-3899 to schedule.
Read more about booster shots on our FHCC website.
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NEW Crisis Hotline Information
If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the NEW Crisis Line at 988 or via www.veteranscrisisline.net.
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Fort Sheridan National Cemetery | |
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The Ft Sheridan Cemetery decision still hasn't been made!
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.
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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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If you're wondering what the VAC and other veterans organizations are doing. | |
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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
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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)
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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)
Officer: “Soldier, do you have change for a dollar?”
Soldier: “Sure, buddy.”
Officer: “That’s no way to address an officer! Now, let’s try it again!”
Officer: “Soldier. Do you have change for a dollar?”
Soldier: “No, SIR!”
From ScarryMommy
“Where do you think you’re going, son?” “Sorry, Captain! It’s crazy out there and the firefight was so heavy. I got scared and tried to go AWOL.” “Who you calling Captain? I’m a general!” “Wow!” exclaimed the soldier. “I didn’t realize I’d run that far back.”
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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 - July 2022
Have you heard of the scam called pension poaching? It is a financial hoax that targets Veterans, survivors, and family members who may be eligible for VA pension payments. Don’t let scammers stop you from getting the benefits you’ve earned. Learn how to protect yourself from pension poachers and spot the warning signs.
- DIC Benefits for Survivors
If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a Veteran or service member who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be eligible for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). DIC is a tax-free monthly financial benefit. Find out if you’re eligible and how to apply.
- Access Free Financial Counseling With VBBP
VA has expanded the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP) to provide more services to Veterans, including financial education and credit counseling opportunities. VBBP continues to provide Veterans with access to low or no-cost bank or credit union accounts. Learn how to join the more than 150,000 Veterans who use VBBP to protect their benefits.
If you have a service-related disability that prevents you from driving, VA can help you buy a specially adapted vehicle or adapt an existing vehicle to make it drivable for you! Learn how to apply for automobile allowance and adaptive equipment grants.
VA News - 6/29/22
VA News – 7/6/22 –
If you’re looking for ways to get moving to improve your health, check out VA’s MOVE! Coach app. MOVE! Coach is a mobile app that provides easy access to a 16-week weight management and lifestyle program.
VA News – 7/13/22 - -
A career as a VA police officer includes everything from a uniformed officer at a VA facility to specialty roles – K-9 officers, criminal investigators and training officers.
For service members and Veterans with constrained earnings potential or on fixed incomes, sky-high food, gas, housing and other price pressures can make it seem like there’s nothing left in the budget after the bills are paid and other life essentials are covered. Check out this list of financial hacks for improving your financial well-being and relieving some of the inflationary heat this summer.
VA News – 7/20/22 -
The Defense Commissary Agency is on a mission to collect food donations for families in need through the annual Feds Feed Families food drive, and it’s calling on customers, including eligible
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MOAA 6/29/22
MOAA 7/6/22
Prepare for your family’s financial future with these tips. Want more guidance? Check out an upcoming MOAA webinar.
Surviving spouses play an important role in educating elected officials about key legislation.
MOAA 7/13/22
MOAA 7/20/22
A commission wants feedback as part of its work to provide solutions to a growing crisis.
From certifications to mentorship opportunities and more, MOAA can help you access an array of career-building tools.
Check out our first installment of short- and long-term tax strategies.
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Here're some sample articles I found recently:
+ + + + + + +
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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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