FEBRUARY 2012

10th DISTRICT COMMANDER:
Congratulations to Norm Gentry, elected 10th District Commander, and Ed Kieffer elected 10th District Finance Officer.  The 10th District installation will be July 16, 2011 at Florissant Valley Post 444 starting at 4:pm.  Commander Gentry appointed several members of Post 397 to committees.  Come out and support your fellow Post members.

NAVY CLUB OF MISSOURI: 
Ship 4 of the Navy Club will muster on the mess deck at 1300 hours, February 11, 2012. The meeting will follow the G.I. Joe breakfast. Come early, bring your ladies, enjoy the breakfast.

FISHER HOUSE:
Our post has been instrumental in donating to the Fisher House.  This facility will now is complete and houses family members of wounded veterans being treated at the hospital free of charge for as long as the wounded veteran is at the hospital and under treatment. We are strongly dedicated to this facility and hope that everyone will participate in some way in this drive and/or donate money toward its completion.  Post member Wayne Pruitt, owner of "My Barber Shop", presented the Chairman a check for $3000 from the Solar Foundation.  Also, S.A.L Squadron Commander, Jim Berger presented the 10th District a check for $500 from the steak dinner.

 BUILDING COMMITTEE:
Al Katzenberger, Tra Thoma and Rick McGee were elected to serve on the Building Committee.  Jason Lauer was elected to complete the one year term vacated by the resignation of Rick Jewell.

POPPY QUEEN MISS LINDA RIDLEY:
This years Queen Linda Ridley is the granddaughter of Vicki Ferguson.  The Poppy honors the men and women who have served in the US Armed Services.  The money is collected and used for medical and education services. 

WINNERS
Congratulation to the winners of last month’s Past Commander’s and Past
President’s drawings:  Norm Gentry and Art Johnson.  Winners of January's drawings were Earl Mueller and Artie Jordan.

FRIDAY NIGHT FISH FRIES  HELP WANTED Help is needed in the kitchen and in the hall on Friday nights.   We will need volunteers to clear the tables and floor in the hall after the evening fish fries.  This will require two or three men to work each crew.  If you are of able body and would like to help please
see Rick McGee.

Carl Gravier, Commander              Artie Jordan, Assistant Adjutant
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ITEMS OF LASTING INTEREST

Findings in the audit of the Missouri Veterans Commission 

AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
For more information on this view our Scholarship page

DISABILITY PAY PLAN:
President Bush has recommended to Congress a four-part payment plan for veterans disabled on Oct. 7, 2001, or later. It would apply automatically to future disabled veterans and would offer an alternative to veterans receiving disability benefits who were separated or retired since Oct. 7, 2001. According to Donna Shalala, the plan would direct the services to conduct a physical to determine if an ill or injured member is unfit for duty. If found unfit, the member would receive a lifetime annuity based on time in service and final rank. The annuity would be 2.5 percent of basic pay multiplied by total years of
service. The Veterans Administration then would award a disability rating, and would provide compensation to help adjust to civilian life, along with monthly payments for loss of earnings ability and loss of quality of life due to the disabilities.

VA LAUNCHES ON LINE PRESCRIPTION REFILLS: The Department of Veterans Affairs has added online prescription refill service to its My HealthVet (MHV) web site at https://www.myhealth.va.gov. To use Online Refill, VA patients must have prescriptions written by VA doctors that have been filled at least once at a VA pharmacy, and need to register for an MHV account. Register by clicking on “Register Now” at the MHV web site. Once registered, log in and click on “My Care.” Then under “My Prescriptions,” either click on “View Prescription History” or “Refill Prescriptions.”

PRESCRIPTION SCAM SURFACES:  The Department of Veterans Affairs has reported that the "Patient Care Group" is conducting a scam operation against veterans who receive VA prescriptions. Callers claiming to be representatives of this group tell veterans that their prescriptions are being administered by the company. They then ask for credit card information so that the veterans can continue to receive their medications. VA officials said that the department has made no change to its prescription system, and that veterans should not provide any information to callers from this group.

DEFENSE BUDGET TARGETS YOUNG RETIREES: The DOD budget released Feb. 6 includes a previously disclosed plan to increase Tricare costs for military retirees younger than age 65 and their families.  Fees for health benefits would triple over three years for officers and double for enlisted.  According to Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., asst. secretary of Defense for health affairs, the changes will not modify the benefits beneficiaries receive.  The DODs only motivation is to ensure health benefits are maintained at current levels.  The proposed changes will save billions of dollars over the years and will allow the department to sustain the best health system in the country he declared..  He said the "leadership" is in agreement that the plan is "appropriate, prudent, fair, equitable and necessary."  Many veterans' organizations vehemently disagree and are lobbying Congress to reject the plan. 

NEW VA ID CARD:  Because identity theft is the major fraud reported by Americans in 2003, the Dept. of Veterans Affairs has designated a new identity card for veterans that will safeguard confidential information.  The card will have the vets photo on the front and identify them as enrollees in the VA health care system.  The card should be requested from the local medical center.  Existing cards are valid until a new card is issued. 

LAW HELPS TROOPS DEAL WITH CREDITORS:  All service members are protected under the Service members Civil Relief Act.  There have been reports of military members having their homes repossessed.  This type of activity is illegal and should be reported to their local military legal assistance officers for assistance in enforcing their rights.

VETERANS EMPLOYMENT: Need a Job? or assistance in getting a job?
Contact: Jeffery G. Fink, Veterans Representative, Division of Work Force Development, Missouri Career Center, 2780 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63314. Telephone (314)877-2748 or Email jfink@east.wfd.state.mo.us

TAX CREDITS FOR TROOPS:  Troops deployed to combat zones now can apply for tax refunds based on earned income tax credits and additional-child tax credits, explained Army Lt. Col. Janet Fenton, executive director of the Armed Forces Tax Council. The earned income credit, Fenton explained, primarily involves lower-income filers with children. The additional-child tax credit, she added, may provide refunds for
children under age 17. Service members who want to apply for the credit refunds
must file a federal tax return, Fenton noted. Enlisted troops serving in
combat areas already have all of their military pay excluded from federal taxes,
Fenton pointed out, while officers in combat zones can exclude up to $6,529 of
their monthly pay.
 

SCAM TARGETS FAMILIES OF KIAS:  Officials with the Department of Homeland Security are warning the public about an Iraq-related Inter net scam directed at the relatives of fallen U.S. service members. The scheme involves e-mail sent to relatives of service members killed in Iraq. Claiming to be a volunteer working with U.S. forces, the
sender states that a late friend, who also was a service member killed in Iraq, was
a very good friend of the relative's slain son or daughter. The sender then
asks for assistance in obtaining funds kept for them by the deceased friend,
promising more details when the relative responds to the e-mail. To enhance
credibility, the sender adds a link to the portion of Immigration and Customs
Enforcement's Web site that discusses operations in Iraq. Recipients should ignore
and delete such messages, said Michael J. Garcia, DHS assistant for
immigration and customs enforcement.
 

VA ACTIVITIES SURVIVING SPOUSE WEB SITE:   (source: Armed Forces news.com) The Department of Veterans Affairs has activated a new web site dedicated to the surviving spouses of service members who died on active duty and surviving spouses of veterans who died after serving their country. The site, at http://www.vba.va.gov/survivors, has links not only to VA pages describing survivor benefits but also to other government sites that may offer information and assistance. It also contains a link to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). For questions more specific than those covered on the FAQ link, the site has instructions for contacting the VA directly.  

ANOTHER SCAM ON MILITARY FAMILIES:  Officials with the Department of Homeland Security are warning the public about a second Iraq-related Internet scam (see previous item). A blanket e-mail claims to be from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official in Iraq who is responsible for tracking down funds looted from the Iraqi Central Bank by Saddam Hussein's son. The sender lists ICE's Web site address in the e-mail in an effort to seem credible. The sender then asks for confirmation
of the recipient's e-mail address, stating, "there is a very important and
confidential matter which I want us both to discuss." Those who receive the bogus
e-mail solicitations should ignore and delete them, said Michael J. Garcia,
DHS assistant for immigration and customs enforcement.
 

VETERANS EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE FOR WOUNDED VETS:  Officials unveiled this initiative for injured service members returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.  They will get individualized job training, counseling and reemployment services.  REALifelines is a joint commitment by the Dept. of Labor, the Military Medical community and local agencies.  Labor Department officials are investing $500,000 into the first phase of the program.  REALifeline counselors will help veterans identify barriers to employment and set up individual recovery and reemployment plans. There will also be a national tracking system to ensure follow-up services are provided and are successful.  A national call center will soon be available.  As many as 3,500 one-stop career centers will be available at Department of Labor sites nationwide.   

FREE TRANSPORTATION:  The St. Louis County Veterans services program is offering free transportation for Veterans who use wheel chairs and those with limited mobility to and from Doctor and hospital appointments at Veterans medical facilites and out patient clinics at the Missouri Veterans Home.  This service is for Veterans who reside in St. Louis County.  The service is free and is curb to curb.  The trip must be scheduled 24 hours in advance.  Contact Erica Way at 314-615-7414 for information.

VA OUTREACHES TO WOMEN VETERANS:  The Department of Veteran Affairs has developed initiatives for women veterans that assure they received benefits.  For example, most VA regional offices, medical centers and veteran centers must now have a woman Veteran Coordinator.  In addition, women VA patients receive complete physical exams upon admission, including breast and pelvic exams.  Check the national toll free number at 800-827-1000  or the Center for Women Veterans home page at http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/.

$50,000 GRANT TO POST 397:  The Greater St. Louis Community Foundation has awarded a grant of $50,000 to our Post from the Clyde and Alice Mosley Charitable Fund.  Clyde E. Mosley is a 58 year member and plankholder of this Post.  THANKS TO YOU BOTH. 

THANKS AUXILIARY UNIT 397 for the "Path of Honor" brick that you had placed around the flag pole at JB in the name of our post. 

NEW DATABASE LOCATES BURIED VETERANS, SPOUSES:The Dept. of Veterans Affairs has posted a database on the web containing 3.2 million records for veterans and their spouses who have been buried at most of the 120 National Cemetaries since the Civil War.  Visit www.cem.va.gov and click on Nationwide Grave site Locator.

FOUNDATION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO CHILDREN OF FALLEN MARINES:   With increased US Marine deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is stepping up fund raising so it can honor its pledge to award scholarships to all children of Marines killed in the war on terror.  This includes children of Navy Corpsmen killed in combat with the Marines.  Scholrships run up to $10,000 each.  All are funded through private donations.  For more information visit http://www.marine-scholars.org/ or call 800-292-7777 toll free.

KOREAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL:  Eligibility includes the land area of Korea and contiguous waters out to 12 nautical miles, and air spaces above land and water areas.  Dates are from 7/28/1954 and are open ended. 

VETERANS BENEFIT ACT OF 2003:  Review all the benefits in that act at http://usmilitary.about.com/b/a/033368.htm.

VA COMES TO DOWNTOWN:  A service Officer from the Missouri Veterans Commission will visit the Missouri Career Center on Mondays and Thursdays at 2780 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63114.  Telephone (314) 877-2748.

SERVICE OFFICER AT VETERANS HOME:  is established by the Missouri Veterans Commission.  If you have questions about residency, or other VA matters call Al Brinkman at (314)388-0470.  Doug Meyer is also a representative from the Missouri Veterans Commission and can be reached at (314)877-2748.

ENROLLMENT FEE KILLED FOR VA PRIORITY 8s:  Priority 8s are vets with no service-connected disabilities who have higher incomes than geographically determined means test levels. Get More Information

BRONZE STAR MEDAL:  Army News Service reports that WWII vets who earned the Combat Infantry Badge or the Combat Medical Badge are eligible to receive another award to honor their heroism, the Bronze Star.  In 1947, the Bronze Star Medal was authorized for all those who earned a Combat Infantry Badge according to Army reg. 600-8-2, Military Awards.  The medal was designed to honor the infantrymen who endured the greatest hardships and the medics who accompanied them on the front lines, officials said.  Contact the National Personnel Records Center if you believe you or someone you know may be qualified for this honor.  Get More Information

DoD PUBLISHES CRSC GUIDELINES:  The Defense Department has announced the start of the new Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program.  Eligibility goes to military retirees with 20 years of service for retired pay computation and who either have been awarded VA disability compensation because of combat injuries for which they have been awarded the Purple Heart or who are rated at least 60 percent disabled because of armed conflict, hazardous duty, training exercises, or mishaps involving military equipment.  Approved payments will be backdated to june 1, 2003, with first payments possible as early as July 1 according to DoD officials.  Payments will equal the amount of VA disability compensation for combat-related disabilities, but will be reduced for those retirees whose retired pay exceeds what they would have received for length of service.  Visit https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/crsc/ 

G.I. BILL UPDATE: Since the October 2002 increase of GI Bill benefits, service members and veterans can now receive up to $900 per month to finance their education.  The increase, along with over $300 million on scholarship money designated for military personnel and grants from individual military-friendly schools, provides service members and veterans with even more options for pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees. Get More Information

CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS?: Don't delay the prompt processing of your address change.  Be sure to notify the Post Adjutant.  The Adjutant will notify Department Headquarters. 

POWs: If any of our post members were Prisoners of War please tell our assistant adjutant. This was omitted in our members register and we wish to correct this omission.

APPLICATIONS FOR SPECIAL COMBAT RELATED PAYMENTS for disabled military retirees should be on tap May 1 and first payments expected in July says the Defense Department.  Eligibility criteria:(1) retirees who earned a Purple Heart with a VA disability rating of 10 precent or more for the combat injury or (2) retirees with disabilities of 60 percent or more derived from combat situations.  For those retirees drawing VA disability compensation, and whom DoD determines are qualified, the special payments will replace the current offset in their retired pay.  Get More Information

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  The Legion is unyielding on the change to the pledge that removes "Under GOD" from it by the 9th District US Circuit Court of Appeals.  This is just plain wrong.  We will fight this change through the Supreme Court if it is allowed to go that far.

VA BENEFITS EXPANDED FOR VIETNAM VETS WITH LEUKEMIA:  Based upon a recently released review of scientific studies, Sec. of Veteran Affairs is extending benefits to Nam Vets with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.  "compelling evidence has emerged within the scientific community that exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange is associated with CLL."  This decision means that vets with CLL who served in Vietnam during the war don't have to prove that the illness is related to their military service to qualify for VA disability compensation.  Payments will not begin until a final rule is published in the Federal Register.  VA will publish further details, when available at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/herbicide/.  Meanwhile, veterans can call    1-800-749-8387.

MISSOURI MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS:  In order to receive military honors, the following procedure should be followed. Notify the funeral director in charge that military honors is requested for the deceased.

CAPS ARE AVAILABLE:The Post Adjutant has caps for sale in selected sizes. If your size is not on hand it can be ordered at the same price. Each member of the Post should be encouraged to buy the Official American Legion Overseas Cap with the post emblem.

PENDING LEGISLATION FOR VETS: Promises jobs for vets. Legislation passed by the House or Representatives and pending in the Senate is designed to improve the Department of Labor's role in helping veterans find jobs. The JOBS FOR VETERANS ACT redesigns a Labor Department program called the Veterans Employment and Training Service. Darryl Kehrer, a staff director at the House Veterans Affairs Committee, called the act "one super piece of legislation." Kehrer described the current program as "good people trapped in a very bad system." He said seven out of ten vetarans who use the current DOL program do not get jobs through it. The bill aims to fix the system through "results, incentives, accountability and flexibility," he said. "The bill also would give former service members first priority in all DOL funded employment training programs, and it would create the president's national Hire Veterans Committee, he noted. (Source, Armed Forces News.com.)

PRISONER OF WAR COMPENSATION BILL INTRODUCED: Idaho Chairman of the House Veterans Benefits Subcommittee Congressman Mike Simpson has authorized legislation to increase the compensation of POWs. H.R. 5235, the former prisoners of war special compensation act of 2002 established a three-tiered special monthly pension. Simpson's bill would create a new compensation system delivered through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under this new bill, POWs detained 30-120 days would received $150/mo, 121-540 days would receive $450/mo.

VETERANS' BURIAL BENEFITS INCREASED: (source armed forces news.com) The Veterans' education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 increases from $1,500 to $2,000 the burial and funeral expense allowance for veterans who die as a result of a service-connected disability. The act also raises the cemetary plot allowance for certain other disabled veterans from $150 to $300. (The plot allowance is paid when a veteran who is buried in a non-government cemetary was either eligible to receive VA disability compensation or a VA pension; or was discharged from military service due to disability; or died in a VA hospital. The law also directs the VA to honor requests for government markers for veterans buried in private cemetaries even if their graves have headstones or markers furnished at private expense. Previous law prevented the VA from providing markers on that situation. The new provision for markers applies to veterans' deaths on or after Dec. 27, 2001.

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