Read the full article at Military.com

New GI Bill Overview

A news story published on MSNBC News Web Site, told story of a military veteran who was injured during his training and promptly discharged.

The article is entitled “Soldiers risk ruin while awaiting benefit checks” The article is quite long but if you are a veteran or know of a veteran in the same situation… This may be some information that the veteran(s) can also speak about this.

This is just one example that what is happening across the country. I can honestly believe that it is happening and will continue to happen. Until, those that are experiencing this, As well as local elected legislators can contribute to get veterans, not just these veterans, but ALL VETERANS that somehow have gotten lost within the system.

New York–A Cayuga County war veteran has a plan that will make it easier for all veterans to fill up their gas tanks. More than 50 years ago, Paul Spottack volunteered to serve in the Korean War.
Now more than ever, the words “support our troops” mean everything to him.
Last, month he decided to take action, writing letters to local politicians because he came up with a unique idea. He wants to create a credit card that would subtract a dollar off per gallon every time veterans fill up their gas tanks.
He says it’s a whole new way of supporting the troops.
“I think there’s 250,000 disabled vets in the U.S. and if that were the criteria for somebody to get this card,” said Spottack. “If it ever went through, that’s not an awful lot when you look at what they’ve done and what they’ve been through.”
Paul got the response he was hoping for…

The military liason at Senator Chuck Schumer’s office gave him a call, and now he along with his friends at the VA are hoping that he can get the idea of the ground.
Ironically enough, he and the woman actually served in the same military outfit in Korea, just 40 years apart. At the end of his letter, he asked “what better way is there for a grateful nation to support our troops?” Paul said if this goes through, he has plenty of other ideas ready and waiting.

News story from Veterans Today

Matt Urban fought valiantly at Normandy and throughout France and Belgium during World War II. He was decorated with the Congressional Medal of Honor for actions from June 14th to September 3rd of 1944. During this time he received six serious wounds, but continued to lead his men to defeat entrenched German forces. Through his heroism and command leadership the United States, Belgium and France awarded him 28 other decorations making him one of the most decorated soldiers in American History.

He moved to Monroe shortly after World War II to start the Monroe Community Center in an abandoned building presently known as the Arthur Lesow Community Center. During the next 15 years he dedicated his life to the youth of Monroe. He touched the lives of countless men and women with his kindness, leadership and devotion to our community. We lived in the presence of this hero, but this modest man did not discuss his heroism during the war. He passed away in 1995 from complications of his war wounds and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Current efforts to raise funding include canister drives and mailings requesting donations from other American Legions’ and Veteran’s of Foreign Wars’ Posts in Monroe County. We estimate building cost of $30,000.00 and $10,000.00 for perpetual care. The committee plans to complete the monument and have the dedication ceremony on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2008.

We are requesting a donation from your foundation. Tax-deductible contributions may be made to the Matt Urban Memorial Fund at The Community Foundation of Monroe County, PO Box 627, Monroe, MI 48161. Please direct any questions to Wayne Blank, Chairman, Matt Urban Memorial Fund, telephone (734) 770-0201.

We hope you will be able to support our efforts to honor this true American hero.

Respectfully,

Tom Jones
Post Commander

Wayne Blank
Chairman, Matt Urban Memorial Fund

This story is from the Kane County Chronicle; Kane County, Illinois.

The story is about Project Mobility: Cycles for Life. Project Mobility specializes in bicycles for veterans who have received sever injuries.
The complete story can be read here.

Be sure to watch the video. This may be something that local veteran organizations or groups may be interested in helping local veterans.

More information about Project Mobility can be found on their web site.

An estimated 600 “golden age” veterans from across the country will travel to Indianapolis to compete in the largest sports and recreational competition for senior veterans in the world August 20-24.

“Staying active and healthy through sports and fitness is important to all our nation’s veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “We are proud to offer the Golden Age Games as a premier sporting event for our senior veterans.”

Golden Age Games competitions are open to all U.S. military veterans age55 or older who receive care at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility. The games give participants the opportunity to compete in ambulatory, visually-impaired and wheelchair divisions, according to their ages. Events include swimming, bicycling, bowling, croquet, air rifle, golf, shuffleboard, horseshoes, discus and shot put.
Click here, for the complete story.

More information on the Golden Age Games, is available online at
www.veteransgoldenagegames.va.gov, or call Jenny Tankersley Ballou, National Veterans Golden Age Games Public Affairs Coordinator, at (757) 728-3450 or (757) 254-6058.

Gathering of Eagles is an non-profit organization that stands guard at funerals of recent service members who have lost their lives.

There is so much written about Gathering of Eagles, I fee that I cannot do this organization justice by what I could write about it.

I would like to recommend that you take the time and visit the Gathering of Eagles web site and read for yourself about what Gathering of Eagles is about, how to join, how to contribute.
On the “ABOUT” link you can the Gathering of Eagles Mission Statement.

Also, you can contribute by purchasing Gathering of Eagles merchandise.

In a press release I received. A National Veterans Foundation spokesperson submitted the following statement.

“A national toll-free helpline (888-777-4443,
7 days a week, 9AM-9PM) staffed by fellow veterans, trained to listen, counsel and guide those in need to whatever services they require, no matter where or when they are needed. You’ve Been There, We’ve Been There Don’t Wait. Call Us.”

“National Veterans Foundation have been in operation for almost 23 years now and that is the statement we usually put with our link to give people a better idea of what we do.”

As always, the link will be available under “Veterans Related Sites” for future reference.

Many homeowners have found it difficult recently to pay their morgages, but quick intervention by loan counselors at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has actually reduced the number of veterans defaulting on their home.

Click here for the full story.

Any veteran, no matter when or where he/she served, is eligible to join the Corl-Gaynier AMVETS Post 1942 in Monroe as long as they have a honorable discharge.
This includes members of the National Guard and the Reserves. AMVETS annual dues is $25 or lifetime dues is only $150.00 and you never pay again. By far the lowest life membership dues of any major veterans organization. Our Post meets on the 4th Thursday of each month at 7pm at the Monroe VFW Hall on Jones Avenue in Monroe.

AMVETS is a national Veterans organization over 60 years old and is chartered by the U.S. Congress. AMVETS has over 1,000 Posts around the nation AMVETS with Posts existing locally in Monroe, Toledo, Detroit, Riverview, Tecumseh and Adrian. There are 200 Posts in Ohio and Michigan.

Corl-Gaynier AMVETS Post #1942 is named after two Monroe County heroes of WWII, Harry Corl and Oswald Gaynier. Both men received the Navy Cross and both had WWII Navy ships named after them. Our Post supports veterans and civic projects and sponsors the annual Tribute to the Fallen on Memorial Day weekend. We have four fund raiser meals a year. For more information or questions call 734-242-3445.
——————————————————————————————————-
** Submitted by e-mail.