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Hello {First Name},
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The Korean Armistice
July 27, 1953
| After three years of a bloody and frustrating war, the United States, the People’s Republic of China, North Korea, and South Korea agree to an armistice, bringing the fighting of the Korean War to an end. The armistice ended America’s first experiment with the Cold War concept of “limited war.” | | | |
The VAC Commissioners meetings for 2023 will be held on the following dates
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 -
Lake Bluff
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Thanks and prayers to all our
Cold War Veterans
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Lake County veterans leader elected to
post of national advocacy group
(Andrew) Tangen to serve as 1st vice president of
National Association of County Veterans Service Officers
By Shaw Local News Network
June 22, 2023 at 2:02 pm CDT
MADISON, Wis. – Andrew Tangen, superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County, was elected June 7 as the first vice president of the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers at their annual business meeting and training summit.
Tangen assists veterans and their families from across Lake County by helping them get access to the VA services and benefits. He prepares veterans claims for service-connected disabilities and helps surviving spouses with matters related to their VA benefits. As the first vice president, Tangen will be responsible for leading various committees, acting as a liaison for the organization and standing in for the president in his absence.
Along with serving veterans and their families, Tangen is a veteran; he served as a lieutenant commander in the Navy for 14 years.
“I am excited to be moving into a position of greater responsibility and continue to strengthen our partnerships and uncovering new opportunities to better serve our veterans” Tangen said in a news release.
Since 1989, NACVSO has advocated for government policies that serve veterans and supported the nation’s about 1,800 county veterans service officers. CVSOs are local government employees responsible for helping veterans and their families in their communities access their benefits. CVSOs can help advocate for veterans and their families with the VA, connect them to state and local resources and identify gaps in policies that serve the veterans in their communities.
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WE REALLY ARE MOVING!! The new offices are located at:
Hawkston Hall II
1790 Nations Drive (second entrance to Nations Drive,
north of Grand Avenue, off of Dilley Rd).
Gurnee, IL 60031
Phone - (847) 377-3344
Email - Veterans@lakecountyil.gov
Website - www.vaclc.org
The plan is to move during mid-July. You can assume the office will be closed for about 2 weeks during the move. We are expecting to be in full swing again not later than end of July.
We are also still actively working with the James A. Lovell FHCC to get our new space in Building 135 up and running. The offices will be accessible from the parking garage off of Green Bay Rd.
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Remember the Gold Star Families
Gold Star families have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, losing a loved one who served in the military. While we often commemorate their service on holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans Day, it's important to remember them throughout the year. These families need support and recognition beyond just those two days. By honoring their sacrifice and showing them compassion and understanding, we can help ease their burden and ensure they know their loved one's service will always be remembered. Join us in paying tribute to Gold Star families and ensuring they receive the respect and care they deserve every day of the year.
Go to the Gold Star Registry to find a gold star family in your town.
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What the Rule of 55 Means for Your Retirement Distributions | |
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By: Lila Quintiliani
June 07, 2023
AscentXmedia/Getty Images
(This article originally appeared in the June 2023 issue of Military Officer, a magazine available to all MOAA Premium and Life members. Learn more about the magazine here; learn more about joining MOAA here.)
Generally, you must be 59½ years old before you can start withdrawing money from your retirement accounts penalty-free. This might make retirement planning challenging for those who wish to retire earlier.
Fortunately, an IRS provision makes it possible for those who want, or are forced, to leave their job earlier to take distributions from their retirement savings: the Rule of 55.
What Is It?
The Rule of 55 allows workers who leave their job during or after the year they turn 55 to avoid paying the 10% early withdrawal penalty on their retirement account distributions.
It doesn’t matter why you are leaving, but you must be at least 55 years old in the calendar year you are leaving your job. Not every retirement plan offers early withdrawals, so you will have to ask your employer whether your retirement plan supports this rule.
Read more:
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Chicagoland Combined Veterans Museum
American Legion 335
VFW 5979
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8664 Grand Ave, River Grove, IL 60171
Hours: Open 24 hours
Phone: (708) 606-0742
Click here for photos
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Italian American Veterans Museum | |
A wide range of historical displays. Website contains extensive historical details.
Click here for website.
Casa Italia
3800 Division St., Stone Park, IL 60165
By appointment on Saturday afternoons –
call (708) 338-0690
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With 29 Military Aircraft On Display, This Small Town Museum In Indiana Is A True Hidden Gem
1000 W Hoosier Blvd, Peru, IN 46970
To schedule your tour, email director@grissomairmuseum.com, or call (765) 689-8011
Click here for website
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HOORAY!
House Bill 1635 has now been signed by Governor Pritzker! This bill approves the transfer of 4.7 acres from the Lake County Forest Preserve District back to the National Cemetery Administration to become part of the Fort Sheridan National Cemetery.
The added space will be used only for cremated remains, and will include both ground level burial and columbarium units. It will provide sufficient space to support veteran burial needs until the 2080's.
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Congratulations to
Marie Honeywell
| Our New Illinois VFW 5th District Commander- Congratulations on your initiation here in Springfield, Marie Honeywell- former Commander of 'local' Post 2486, Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission Executive Board, Army Air Traffic Operator, 5th VFW District-Voice of Democracy Chair, and retired school Special Educator. All the Best Marie! | | |
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Veterans at Mundelein
Memorial Day Parade
All of these Vets continue to serve in different ways
| Left to right: Mike Peck (former Supt VAC), Bob & Marie Honeywell, Allan Ayers, Dick Hegerle | | |
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Finding Caregiver Support While Trying to Build a Life We Don’t Want to Escape From
Thank you Rally Point and Rachel Moyers
Caregiving and caregiver are words that have become everyday vocabulary for many in this country. I not only use these words in my professional life, I also proudly claim veteran caregiver as part of my personal identity.
Over the years, life has thrown my family a few sets of brick walls that we had to navigate around, one being medical retirement. When my husband went through medical retirement, I had no idea that there was a name for the new role I was already taking on. I felt isolated and stressed. We were navigating medical appointments, medications, 2 children under the age of 5, out processing, finding a new place to live and I was in the process of completing my doctorate. In the midst of all this stress, I realized I was lonely and missing the connections I once had with our active-duty family. They didn’t quite understand since we were now on the other side of active-duty life. I ultimately learned I needed what was called peer support.
Click to read the complete article.
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Volunteer Help Wanted!
Catholic Charities Veterans Bike Project is looking for volunteers that know how to do basic bike repairs. We get gently used bikes and would like someone knowledgeable to look them over and do what is needed to have them safe and ready to give to veterans.
This is a 5-year-old program run by the Catholic Charities Veterans Employment Program.
For more information about volunteering please call Mitch Siegel at 847-782-4219.
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What Are Witness Slips
and how do we use them?
Witness slips are a device we can use to communicate with congressional committees as a group of people with a specific interest. Once you figure out how to use them, they are quite easy and allow you to provide your opinion on specific legislation coming through the process.
Click here to see the ILGA user manual that describes how to enter a slip, or to see the slips that are entered.
To make life easier if you are willing to sign witness slips, you probably want to register so you don't have to repeat all your personal information every time. Then it becomes pretty straightforward to get to hearings where you want to post a witness slip and to see who else has posted. You do need to be told what the house or senate bill number is that you are witnessing to.
Click here for a step by step with screen shots to enter and to view witness slips.
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Register your Vet-owned Business to be posted on the VAC Website
The VAS is all about helping veterans in any way possible. One of those ways to to refer vet-owned businesses to our readers. To see what you can present, Click to go to the Partners page and scroll down to the Veteran Owned Businesses. Send an email to the VAC (veterans@veteransassistancecommission.com) with a subject line of "Veterans Business", or contact the VAC through the VAC website directly.
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Governor’s Challenge -
Suicide Prevention Training
IDVA is a proud partner of the Illinois Governor’s Challenge, a campaign to prevent suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF). The Governor’s Challenge is encouraging people from across the state to become part of this crusade to prevent suicide among SMVF. Most recently, it launched its training portal for people to become trained in suicide prevention. Its ambitious goal is to train 70,000 medical professionals, including hospital staff, primary care physicians, police, fire, EMTs and correctional officers, state and local Veteran Service Organizations, social workers and therapists, workplace leaders, school principals, teachers and counselors, faith leaders, and others interested in joining this effort.
Participants will be trained in best practices for preventing suicide by professionals in the field of behavioral health and suicide prevention. They will will better understand the challenges and barriers to treatment and how to reach a Veteran before and during a crisis. Participants will also learn to identify the signs of a person considering suicide and how to communicate effectively along with strategies for safely storing firearms.
The online and in-person program includes 15-20-minute training modules. Training participants will earn certificates of completion and licensed employees can earn CEU’S upon course completion. Please Click the link to learn more about the Governor’s Challenge: Join the Governor’s Challenge in protecting those who have sacrificed to protect our nation. The Military and Veteran Crisis line number has been simplified. Any Service Member, Veteran, or Family member can Dial 988, then press 1, or text at 838255 to be connected to a medical professional.
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Women Veterans of McHenry and Lake Counties
CONTINUING TO SERVE!
William Chandler Peterson American Legion Post 171 recently has endeavored to raise awareness of women veterans in the region. This special publication has been created to support and recognize the women who have served, continue to serve and who otherwise give back to our communities every day.
Read the full text
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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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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.
- Family problems - In Lake County, contact 211 for referral to proper resource.
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How Green Are Your Thumbs?
Since 2016 Growing Healthy Veterans, a Waukegan-based non-profit, has created two community garden programs to provide the healing power of working with the soil and helping communities in need for those who have served our country. One program is at the Gurnee American Legion Post 771, and the other on a 14-acre plot of land in North Chicago.
“We’re here to help Veterans and Active Duty Military,” GHV Board President Ellen Ewing said.
“What ever they’re struggling with, whatever happened while they served, or if they simply need the peace and quiet and healthy food that come from our gardens, all Veterans, Active-Duty Military and community members are welcome.”
GHV has long dreamed of expanding the garden in North Chicago to utilize all 14 acres, which would make it one of the largest urban community gardens nationwide. Thanks to generous donors like 100 Women Who Care, the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, and a state grant secured by Senator Adriane Johnson (D – Waukegan), GHV will transform North Chicago from a food desert into a flagship example of food independence. This garden will also provide opportunities for community members to work and learn alongside Veterans.
Volunteers are welcome to gather for work and fellowship every Saturday from noon – 4pm. Check the calendar on our website, www.growinghealthyveterans.org for the location each week.
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VA Life Insurance
If you still need/want to carry some life insurance, the VA has several different options to satisfy different needs. Click on any of the items below to learn more about the coverage and eligibility requirements.
Options and eligibility
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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:
Until end of July:
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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Post Your Event Flyer
If you want a vet-oriented event posted, please send a flyer to the VAC (veterans@lakecountyil.gov) with a subject line of event flyer not later than the 25th of the month for the next month and we'll include it.
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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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PGA Hope Golf Program Is
Returning for 2023!
There are only a few spots left for PGA HOPE clinics in Illinois. There are about 30 slots available for the veterans play day at Pine Meadows on July 12 th. The cost is $25. This is a non competitive outing for vets only, 18 holes with cart, tee gifts, and lunch. To check out or sign up, click here.
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The Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies® program is offered at the Mundelein Park District for wounded, ill or injured military personnel was created to provide a way of transitioning back into the community as a civilian, through fitness. The program offers: two, FREE one-year memberships to the Health & Fitness Center; one for the veteran and one for a workout partner of their choice. Also includes up to 15 FREE personal training sessions, networking opportunities, monthly socials and support. Call the Health & Fitness Center for details or to take a tour, 847.388.5430.
Veterans must meet the following qualifications which must be verified:
- Honorable/medical discharge on DD214
- 10% disability rating or higher assigned by the VA
- Disability rating applied for, in medical review, or under appeal
- Non-service connected injury, note from your civilian doctor, or a general endorsement from a VA counselor, VOC/PVA representative
For more information, contact Christine Lopez at clopez@mundeleinparks.org.
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McHenry VFW Post 4600 is hosting the Vietnam Traveling Wall Memorial this summer. Don’t miss the opportunity to walk along the honored names and pay your respects to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.
July 13-17, 2023
3002 W. IL Rt 120, McHenry
For more information, please visit
The McHenry VFW Post 4600
website: Events (vfwmchenry.org)
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Midwest Veterans Closet
Food Pantry,Clothing, Shoes/Boots
Housewares, Linens
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
Breakfast Anastasia, Waukegan - June 24 2022 10:00
Lunch - Mission BBQ, Gurnee - July 22, 11:00
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
Native American Heritage Council
Building 617 - Base Library
Naval Base Great Lakes
2nd Thursday of Month - 10:00 am
Click here to see complete flyer
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 -
See below fore the Lake and McHenry County locations and times, or click to see other counties.
-- Mobile Food Pantry and CLC Pop-up Pantry
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Why do commanders appreciate the non-swimmers in the Navy?
- They defend the ship with a lot more enthusiasm.
A little boy was staring in wonder at the names on a plaque in an old church. The pastor noticed him and asked, “What are you looking at, my son?”
The boy replied, “All those names up there. Who are they?”
The pastor smiled and said, “Why they are the names of people from this congregation who died in the service.”
The little boy thought for a moment and then asked very quietly, “Which one? The 9:00 or the 11:00 service?”
Why was the Marine Corps created?
- Because even the Army needs heroes!
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Contents From Our Previous Issue
To read the June 2023 Newsletter, go to our prior edition.
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What to Expect at Your C&P Exam
VA compensation and pension (C&P) exams, which are sometimes also called claim exams, are an important part of your claims process. C&P exams help VA rate your disability, which affects how much disability compensation you’ll receive. Watch our YouTube playlist to learn what to expect during your exam.
A personal lesson learned from my recent exam - the C&P results may have a significant impact on your disability compensation so be prepared to challenge the results with doctor's statements and get the support of the VAC for professional skills at contesting the C&P results.
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t Helps to Stay In Touch With the
James A. Lovell FHCC
To stay in touch with the James A. Lovell FHCC, subscribe to the “Launch”, the Lovell Newsletter.
To get a subscription, – click here.
Here is a directory of the resources at James A. Lovell FHCC. To access the electronic directory, click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Herre 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.
Click here to subscribe to the Weekly VA Newsletter.
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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 2023
VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide tax-free monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension. In addition to being available for Veterans, single surviving spouses and dependent children are also eligible for this benefit. To qualify for these benefits, the Veteran or their surviving family member must meet income and asset thresholds. If you need help with daily activities, or you’re housebound, find out if you qualify.
VA housing grants are available for Veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities so they can buy or change a home to meet their needs and live more independently. Changing a home might involve installing ramps, widening doorways, and more. Find out if you’re eligible for a disability housing grant and how to apply.
Are you recovering from surgery, or a disability related to your military service that has left you unable to move? Veterans may be able to get a temporary 100% disability rating and disability compensation or benefits if they have this kind of immobilizing disability. Find out if you're eligible and how to file a special claim.
VA News - 6/7/23 -
Half of the nation's 16.5 million Veterans are seniors. Hero's Bridge offers four age-specific and innovative programs aimed to ensure no Veteran will live out their golden years in hardship.
Did you know that VA fielded 50 million calls in 2022 alone? Learn how VA Contact Centers are utilizing new technology to get you the answers you you seek.
VA News - 6/14/23 -
A nationwide Medicare survey released June 14 found that Veterans rated Veterans Affairs hospitals higher than private health care facilities in all 10 categories of patient satisfaction. Read the full article from NPR.
For some people, just thinking about finances can be anxiety-inducing, stress-causing and overall sometimes easier to ignore than face head-on. Read these tips on how to reduce stress and anxiety and create a sense of control over your money situation, instead of letting it control you.
VA News - 6/21/23 -
VA has been listening to Veteran feedback and making improvements. Recent results from an independent survey show VA hospitals are outperforming the private sector in patient experience.
VA News - 6/28/23 -
The PACT Act expands Veterans’ eligibility for benefits based on the addition of new presumptive conditions and toxic exposure locations. As a result, more survivors are eligible for benefits than ever before.
As a peer specialist, you’ll let other Veterans know that they have someone at VA who understands where they’ve been and where they’re trying to go. Peer specialists work across VA to share their own success stories and encourage positive health habits.
Networking with Veteran groups and establishing peer-to-peer support - finding community - is the resource that has helped me the most. When I first connected with Travis Manion Foundation, I was still in the beginning of my journey addressing PTSD.
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Insights from MOAA
(Military Officers Association of America)
MOAA 5/31/23
The three-month delay gives the nearly 1,300 affected retirees time to file a debt waiver application, the Navy said.
MOAA 6/14/23
Updated with new entries and a MOAA-produced documentary, help us share and celebrate these untold stories.
The VA has shifted focus to home-care options, but more work – and more support from Congress – is sorely needed.
The common interview request can prove problematic for servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses.
MOAA 6/21/23
Skills sharpened by their service, plus resources geared to support their new mission, have put them on a path to success.
Understand the rules to help you maximize this benefit, and register for an upcoming MOAA webinar to learn even more.
MOAA 6/28/23
It's the most common question you’ll get ... and it's an easy way to start off on the wrong foot. Let MOAA help you prepare.
Updated IRS withholding requirements could mean fluctuating payment amounts. Find out what you should review.
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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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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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