Hello {First Name},
Please Note>>
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Happy Birthday to our newest Branch - the U. S. Space Force
Dec 20, 2019
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Have a wonderful, peaceful Christmas!
ONLY 18 DAYS UNTIL HANUKKAH!
ONLY 25 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!
ONLY 26 DAYS UNTIL KWANZAA!
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Christmas - World War I
The Football Remembers Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in England, commemorating the 1914 Christmas Truce.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Today, a memorial stands in England’s National Memorial Arboretum commemorating the Christmas Truce; it was dedicated by Prince William of England. On the 100 anniversary in 2014, the English and German national soccer teams staged a friendly match in England in remembrance of the soldiers’ impromptu soccer games in 1914. (England won 1-0.)
What stands out most today, however, are the memories of the soldiers themselves, preserved in their own penmanship. One riflemen of Britain’s 3rd Rifle Brigade recounted a German soldier saying, “Today we have peace. Tomorrow you fight for your country. I fight for mine. Good luck!”
As for Britain’s Bruce Bairnsfather, he summed up the distinct historic moment this way: “Looking back on it all, I wouldn't have missed that unique and weird Christmas Day for anything.
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The VAC Commissioners meetings for 2023 will be held on the following dates
March 15, 2023
May 17, 2023
September 20, 2023
November 15, 2023
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 -
Fort Sheridan
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Thanks to all our
Cold War Veterans
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We now have access to the web at James A. Lovell FHCC!
Look for the network named "SSID"
the Userid is Guest-VA
and the password is Welcome1
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Have an Appointment at VA? Check in with Your Phone
Smartphone check-in is now available at most VA health facilities including James A Lovell FHCC. Click the title above for easy instructions on how smartphone check-in works. As with so much of the world, this will become the only way to check in for appointments very quickly.
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Get Your Estate Documents in Order!
If you are being treated at Lovell or any other VA center, and you are relying on your spouse or other caretaker to get information, you must have them named and appointed in your Power of Attorney, any HIPPA document and Living Will needed to make decisions about your care. Without the appropriate legal documentation, the staff at Lovell or other medical facilities cannot provide any information to them.
While you're at it, be sure that you have a current will and/or trust documents so that you have defined your desired plans for your estate. Case in point - the children of a deceased vet are attempting to claim assets from a second wife. The trust and will have been able to prevent that.
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Better Late than Never!!! |  | |
Corporal Ed Bedno finally received the Bronze Star for his World War II combat action. Drafted during WWII, he rose to the rank of corporal. He fought and was wounded on Okinawa, earning a purple heart, a unit citation and, most important, his Combat Infantry Badge. In WW II, the Combat Infantry Badge automatically qualified the warrior for the Bronze Star.
Ed was born and raised in Chicago and, on return after the war, studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Institute of Design. He worked as a graphic designer in Chicago for many years, winning many awards. Ed also taught at the Institute of Design, The University of Illinois and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He married Jane in London in 1954, and they had three children - now also five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Ed is surrounded by veterans including from left Bruce Luxon, Vietnam Army Corpsman, Ed's Son, Nick Konz, President of the VAC, Allan Ayers, Newsletter Editor, Col Paul Hettich, US Army Ambassador.
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Happy 100 Birthday Bob Lick! | |
If I were feeling any better, I’d have to take something for it.” That attitude may be the secret to WWII veteran Bob Lick’s long life. He celebrated his 100th birthday on November 23, 2022. Bob enlisted in the Army Air Corps on his birthday in 1942. He served in Italy as a waist gunner, flying B-24's with the 15th Air Force. They were based in Manduria, Italy and completed 51 missions targeting strategic operations in Northern Italy and Germany. “We always said we were flying for our country on the outbound trip -- and the minute we dropped the bombs and turned toward home we were flying for ourselves.”
Bob and other veterans were recently featured on WGN during a visit to Soul Harbour Ranch in North Barrington, IL. Their Soul Veterans program welcomes veterans and their families on the last Sunday of every month. US Air Force Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Gina Stramaglio is the co-facilitator of the program.
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31 Oct 2022 Military.com | By Patricia Kime
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced last month that it would screen all its patients for possible exposure to environmental hazards during military service, part of an effort to understand the scope of the issue and monitor veterans for related illnesses.
But what exactly does this process look like? VA officials said the 5-minute screening, a series of questions by a veteran's primary care physician, will help the department "enhance the benefits for veterans already in the system."
"We are on track to doing that, and we had a very successful pilot. Over 13,000 veterans were screened with a very high 'hit rate' of veterans who expressed concern about a possible environmental exposure," Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal said Oct. 19 during a press call with reporters.
Related: VA Starts Doing Toxic Exposure Screenings as Advocates Press for Medical Testing
Beginning Nov. 8, veterans can request an appointment for a screening or will be screened automatically during routine care with their primary VA doctor.
The three-part screening includes the following:
Q. Do you believe you experienced any toxic exposures, such as Open Burn Pits/Airborne Hazards, Gulf War-related exposures, Agent Orange, radiation, contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, or other such exposures while serving in the Armed Forces?"
- Yes
- No
- Don't Know
- Declines Screening
Q. If Yes, do you believe you were exposed to any of the following while serving in the Armed Forces?
- Open Burn Pits/Airborne Hazards,
- Gulf War-related exposures
- Agent Orange
- Radiation
- Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune
- Other exposures
Q. Does the Veteran or caregiver have follow-up questions?
- Health/Medical Questions
- Benefits/Claims Questions
- VA Health Care Enrollment and Eligibility Questions
- Registry Questions
- No questions at this time
The VA launched a pilot of the screening program last month at 12 medical centers across the U.S., checking out 13,380 veterans. Veterans who were screened had a "high hit rate" of concern over possible toxic exposure, Elnahal said, with roughly 38% answering yes to the first question.
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Northern Illinois Food Bank provides food through a network of 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, youth and senior centers, and has a number of other direct distribution programs to assist hungry neighbors. The Food Bank acquires donated food directly from manufacturers, as well as retail stores through our Food Recovery and Direct Connect programs.
You might have noticed the schedule of mobile food pantries further down in this newsletter. In the newsletter, these only cover Lake and McHenry Counties. However, there are also mobile pantries in 9 additional Counties. In addition there are "Pantry Express" sites where you can order food to be picked up at one of the Pantry Express locations, or, if you meet to mileage requirement, have the food delivered to your home.
If you are interested in supporting Northern Illinois Food Bank by volunteering (as I do), Click here to see the types of volunteer opportunities you can sign up for and where they are.
If you have any questions, contact Allan Ayers at 847-377-3344
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Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Veterans, with 15,000 cases diagnosed each year in the VA system, and 500,000 Veterans are alive today with the disease in the VA. On November 11 each year, we pay tribute to those who have served our country.
Through a $50-million, multi-year partnership, PCF and the VA are expanding prostate cancer clinical research among Veterans at 13 Centers of Excellence around the country to speed the development of new treatment options and cures. Two new pilot programs at VA Medical Centers in Baltimore and Atlanta were announced today.
PCF aims to support those battling prostate cancer by providing information about diagnosis, treatment, and living well. We honor one Veteran getting his prostate cancer care at the VA by sharing his inspiring story.
Thanks to research funded by PCF, we now know that some prostate cancers are caused by changes in your genes. Genetic testing is available in the VA. Learn about the process and talk to your doctor.
WATCH THE VIDEO
In the Chicago area, there is a Center of Excellence at the Jesse Brown VAMC
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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes that you may have questions regarding the VA claim exam (also known as a compensation and pension, or C&P, exam) process if you have filed a disability claim. To help answer many of these questions, VA has updated the following two websites regarding VA claim exams:
VA claim exams are a critical part of the claims process and VA wants to help you understand this process. VA’s updated websites provide answers about why a claim exam may or may not be needed, who contacts you about scheduling exams and how you may be contacted. These new webpages contain answers to additional questions such as:
- What to do if an exam is missed;
- How to reschedule an appointment;
- What to bring to the exam and how to prepare for it;
- Who completes the exam;
- Costs or travel expenses and so much more.
Please visit our updated websites for answers to frequently asked questions and for updated information regarding VA claim exams.
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From the Defense Finance and Accounting Service
As you may know, Congress made changes to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to phase out the offset for surviving spouses who are also receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
On January 1, 2023, the SBP-DIC offset will be fully eliminated. That means, beginning in 2023, SBP payments will no longer be offset (reduced) by DIC. Spouses will receive full SBP (issued by DFAS) and full DIC (from the VA).
There is no action you need to take as a retiree for the changes to apply to your surviving spouse. However, you should check your RAS to ensure your SBP beneficiary is up to date. This is especially important if you have a former spouse. Find out more: https://www.dfas.mil/SBPforspouse.
Also, if your monthly premiums are not automatically deducted from your pay, you should ensure your account does not have unpaid monthly premiums. If you pass away with unpaid monthly premiums, this could cause hardship for your survivors. Learn more: https://www.dfas.mil/payforSBP.
For more details on the changes to SBP, see our special SBP-DIC News webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/sbpdicnews
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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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H.R. 8750, the Expanding Veterans' Options for Long Term Care Act, seeks to assess the effectiveness of providing assisted living services to eligible veterans.
Currently, the VA provides home-based primary care services, which is care provided by a qualified care specialist at the veteran’s own home. The VA also provides 24-hour care and supervision by skilled nurses and nursing aides at community living centers (CLC) for veterans who can’t be cared for at home. However, more support and services are needed for those veterans whose required level of care falls between intermittent home-based supportive services and an extended care skilled nursing facility.
Assisted living services can benefit veterans with certain conditions, such a moderate traumatic brain injury, who may need help with daily care, but not as much help as a nursing home or a CLC provides. Exact arrangements can vary, but assisted living residents usually live in their own apartments or rooms and share common areas. They have access to supportive services, including up to three meals a day; assistance with personal care; help with medications, housekeeping and laundry; 24 hour on-site staff; and generally some social and recreational activities.
The Expanding Veterans' Options for Long Term Care Act requires the VA to implement a three-year pilot program to provide assisted living services in six geographically diverse areas. Veterans who would be eligible to participate are those who are already receiving nursing home level care paid for by the VA, are eligible for such care from the VA, or exceed the requirements for domiciliary care paid for by the VA but do not meet the requirements for nursing home level care paid for by the VA.
This bill would also require the VA to report on the cost of care at each assisted living facility, including an analysis of any cost savings by the VA when compared to the cost of nursing home care, feedback from participants in the pilot program, and recommendations on whether the model studied in the pilot program should be continued or adopted throughout the Department.
DAV strongly supports the Expanding Veterans' Options for Long Term Care Act, in accordance with DAV Resolution No. 022, which calls for legislation to improve the VA’s program of long-term services and supports for service disabled veterans. We are calling on all DAV members and supporters to contact their Representative and urge them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 8750.
Thank you for all you do for America’s veterans and their families.
Take Action
Take Action
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How the VA Supports Long Term Care Needs
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
See our guide to long-term services and supports.
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How to Get a VA Certificate of Eligibility
If you couldn’t get in on the low interest rates of earlier this year, but you want to get a VA loan or a Native American Direct Loan to buy a house, interest rates are still about one percent below commercial rates. The first step is to get your COE. National Guard members and reservists are eligible for a VA home loan if they have completed at least six years of honorable service, are mobilized for active duty service for a period of at least 90 days, or are discharged because of a service-connected disability. See the reservist details here.
In any case, the first step is getting your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). It confirms for your lender that you qualify for the VA or NAD home loan benefit. Learn how to apply for your COE online.
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If you have an illness or injury that you believe was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, you can file a claim for disability benefits 180 to 90 days before you leave the military. This may help speed up the claim decision process so you can get your benefits sooner. Find out how to file a claim through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program—and what to do if you have less than 90 days left on active duty.
The VAC also assists in filing BDD Claims.
You can use the BDD program if you meet all of these requirements.
All of these must be true:
- You’re a service member on full-time active duty (including a member of the National Guard, Reserves, or Coast Guard), and
- You have a known separation date, and
- Your separation date is in the next 180 to 90 days, and
- You’re available to go to VA exams for 45 days from the date you submitted your claim, and
- You can provide a copy of your service treatment records for your current period of service when you file your claim.
Learn more here.
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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.
Call the Veterans Crisis Line 24/7 at 988.
Every VA facility has mental health specialists. Find one near you.
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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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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
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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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Did you know?
** The Coast Guard seizes 169 pounds of marijuana and 306 pounds of cocaine worth $9,589,000.00 every day.
** The U.S. Army was in charge of exploring and mapping America. The Lewis and Clark Expedition was an all-Army affair. Army officers were the first Americans to see such landmarks as Pike's Peak and the Grand Canyon.
** The Navy's bell-bottom trousers are commonly believed to be introduced in 1817 to permit men to roll them above the knee when washing down the decks and to make it easier to remove them in a hurry when forced to abandon ship or when washed overboard. In addition, the trousers may be used as a life preserver by knotting the legs and swinging them over your head to fill the legs with air.
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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 News - 11/16/22 -
Post-9/11 Veterans seeking to become wildland fighters should look no further than the Southeast Conservation Corps and its Veteran Fire Corps program, which trains post-9/11 Veterans to become firefighters and has ties to the U.S. National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.
Click to explore Shields and Stripes website
As part of its Military Healing Arts Network, the National Endowment for the Arts is now accepting applications for its Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant Program. These projects address the strengths, experiences and challenges of Veterans and other segments of a military-connected population.
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MOAA 11/2/22
Grief is never easy, but finding a new purpose can help you navigate through the pain.
MOAA 11/9/22
Find all the information you’ll need entering open season, plus links to even more TRICARE resources.
Learn how to compare coverage and prices, and answer a series of questions to help you find the right plan for you.
Depending on where you live, this coverage plan offers three possible options for your care.
What plan is right for an exceptional child? What specialty services are available?
MOAA 11/16/22
"These companies are making millions off our veterans."
Learn more about this path to tax-free income for you … and a tax-free legacy for your heirs.
Work through the maze of your health benefit with these must-read resources.
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Here're some sample articles I found recently:
For veterans, spouses and military in transition, the most neglected part of their network is the recruiter. We don't think of recruiters, sourcers, headhunters and other talent acquisition professionals as part of our networking team, but they are essential. Sign up for our newest transition master class "Secrets of Recruiters" now.
With a short screening, the VA hopes to learn more about combat exposures and help patients learn more about potential services and benefits.
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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
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.
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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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