The American Legion Department of Colorado Blog

Commenting on proposals to slash the DoD budget, the leader of The American Legion said the cuts, along with changes to military retirement benefits, are unnecessary and dangerous to America’s national security.

“It is unconscionable to consider cuts to defense while we are engaged in three wars,” National Commander Fang Wong said. “Throughout our nation’s history, every time we cut defense we paid for it with American blood.”

Wong warned that proposed cuts to the military’s retirement pension and health care systems will also hurt America’s ability to retain the forces that it needs.

“Comparing military retirement benefits with what is available in the private sector isn’t comparing apples to oranges. It’s comparing apples to peanuts, which are what our troops are paid,” Wong said. “If our leaders in Washington are intent on making military life like the private sector, then that’s the path our young people will choose – the private sector! ‘Grandfathering’ benefits for today’s military, while cutting benefits for tomorrow’s, guarantees that America will be less prepared to fight the next war.

“We all understand that America has an enormous national debt,” Wong added. “Yet, we have no debt larger than what is owed to our veterans and those still serving in uniform. They have already paid their share. Cut the budget elsewhere.”

Temporary Financial Assistance forms are often submitted incomplete, causing a delay in funding or even denial. Learn how to avoid that problem.

Since its establishment in 1925, The American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance program has awarded cash grants to minor children of veterans eligible for American Legion membership. These grants are used toward providing basic needs for children, such as shelter, utilities, food, clothing and medical. Since 9/11, $5 million has been distributed to families in need.

However, TFA applications are oftentimes submitted incomplete to The American Legion National Headquarters, causing a delay in the funding process or even denial. Therefore, during the Legion’s recent fifth annual Children & Youth Conference in Indianapolis, a number of items to remember when filling out the application were mentioned to avoid any conflicts.

1. The application should be filled out by a case investigator, which is anyone at the post level. After completion, appropriate signatures must be obtained from the case investigator, applicant and either the department service, adjutant or children & youth chairperson. If any of these signatures are bypassed, the application will be sent back marked “incomplete,” causing further delay in funding.

2. To be eligible for the grant, the child(ren) must be 17 years or younger, or under the age of 20 and still enrolled in approved high school courses, unmarried and living at home full time. Also, the child(ren) must be the biological or in legal custody of a veteran who is, or would have been, eligible to become a member of The American Legion. However, membership is not required to apply for the grant.

3. Don’t leave blank or overlook any questions on the application – the applicant’s story must be explained in full detail or the grant could be denied due to lack of important information.

4. Under “financial information” on the form, list entire amount of family household income. A commonly left-off item is financial earnings from a live-in boyfriend or girlfriend. As far as the Legion is concerned, they too are contributing to household bills.

5. Do not put “NA” when filling out questions under “other assistance.” Make sure the applicant has exhausted all military and non-military resources available to them (i.e., food stamps) because the TFA grant is just that – temporary. If the applicant has not made contact with other resources, that could have bearing whether or not he or she is granted TFA.

6. When requesting for a bill to be paid, the applicant must submit the most current bill and all creditor information must be filled out.

7. Every case gets reviewed immediately. If approved, a check can be mailed as quickly as two days and if not approved, a letter is faxed back to the department stating “incomplete” or “denied” with an explanation why. In either case, the applicant should be contacted for an explanation to the missing details needed for approval.

8. TFA applications should not be available for download on any department’s website. If it is, applicants have the ability to fill out and submit the application, bypassing all proper channels needed for a grant to be approved.

By Mike Frueh

In these unstable economic times, it is worth reviewing some of the protections afforded to Veterans and Servicemembers with monthly housing payments.

For Veterans and Servicemembers with home loans who are experiencing difficulties paying their mortgage, we cannot stress enough the importance of contacting your loan servicer, the company that collects your monthly mortgage payments, as soon as possible. Your loan servicer can help you explore different options to avoid foreclosure. Contrary to popular opinion, servicers really do not want to foreclose because foreclosure costs a lot of money. Be sure to have your most recent financial information handy when contacting your servicer so that appropriate home retention options can be pursued.

Although the servicer has the primary responsibility of servicing a loan to resolve default, VA stands ready to assist should the servicer be unable to help. For Veterans and Servicemembers with VA home loans, VA is authorized to provide direct and more in-depth assistance to help arrange a suitable home retention option. These may include foreclosure alternatives such as a loan modification or repayment plan. Besides the no-downpayment feature of VA home loans, this assistance is one of the primary benefits of the program. For informational videos on how the different foreclosure avoidance options work go to http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/target_video.asp.

Even if you are a Veteran or Servicemember with a conventional or Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage, VA can still provide financial counseling and guidance on how to approach your loan servicer to explore home retention options.

Veterans/Servicemembers with either loan type can speak to a VA loan technician by calling toll-free at 1-877-827-3702. You can also learn about assistance options by reviewing our Veteran Borrowers in Delinquency Quick Reference Sheet at http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/docs/foreclosure_avoidance_fact_sheet.pdf.

Another protection of which you might not be aware is designed specifically for Servicemembers called to active duty. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), active duty Servicemembers can suspend or postpone certain financial obligations so they can devote their full attention to their military duties. While a range of obligations, from car payments to student loans, may be covered under SCRA, I’d like to specifically address housing payments.

If your military service significantly affects your ability to meet your monthly payments on a mortgage you acquired before entering active duty, your interest rate may be capped at 6 percent during the active duty period. Some mortgage servicers are even capping the rates on SCRA-eligible loans at rates as low as 4 percent. If you believe you may qualify for SCRA protection, contact your mortgage servicer and be prepared to provide a copy of your orders. VA is always available to provide guidance as well; once again, our number is 1-877-827-3702.

If you are a Servicemember called to active duty and have a residential lease, you also have rights and protections under SCRA. For example, active duty Servicemembers and their families cannot be evicted from a house they own or rent. If certain conditions are met, you may be able to terminate leases without penalty as well. For full details on this and other SCRA protections, please visit www.servicemembers.gov.

Part of the pride in working for the VA Home Loan program is being able to help Veterans and Servicemembers use their VA benefits to purchase homes. However, we put just as much effort into helping Veterans retain those homes. One of the performance statistics we track in our program is our foreclosure rate compared to other loan types. The Mortgage Bankers Association has reported VA loans to have the lowest foreclosure rate among all loan types (prime, subprime, FHA, VA) for the last 12 quarters.

This is a solid achievement, but we know this is not solely due to the home retention assistance that VA provides. We understand VA’s low foreclosure rate also speaks to the sense of responsibility and duty that members of our military possess. Based on these characteristics and the protections discussed here, we hope to keep even more Veterans and Servicemembers in their homes despite the economic challenges that may lie ahead.

Mike Frueh is the Acting Director of the VA Home Loan program. This program is responsible for helping Veterans obtain mortgages to purchase homes, retain homes when financial difficulties are encountered, and adapt homes to accommodate certain service-connected disabilities. Mike has 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry.

By Keith Parkis

It’s called the CWT program, which stands for “Compensated Work Therapy,” and it helped change my life.

Here’s my story…

I was laid off in October 2000 from a great job that I held for 21 years. Over the next seven years, I bounced from job to job at least 10 times. In one of those positions, I was laid off three times. I was at the end of my rope. All I wanted was to get a decent, good-paying job and to regain that feeling of self-respect and gratitude. Instead, I had that feeling of low self-worth that comes from being out of work too long.

I was getting very frustrated with the whole situation and started to turn to alcohol for comfort. Now, we all know that alcohol only makes you more depressed. My bills were not getting paid, I wasn’t eating well and I had two major medical setbacks – I was genuinely stressed out. Finally, I filed bankruptcy.

My doctor and friend Richard Butz, from the VA Primary Care Out-Patient Clinic in Schenectady, N.Y., noticed that I was depressed and told me about the CWT program. I was knocking at their door the very next day. After speaking with them, I felt much better. I went through the routine rehabilitation program along with several other sister and brother Veterans. We exchanged stories about our lives and gave each other advice and ideas on how to cope.

The CWT program also provided temporary jobs at the VA hospital in Albany and at the Gerald B.H. Solomon-Saratoga National Cemetery.

It was a wonderful opportunity.

All we had to do was prove that we were reliable and that we could put in a good day’s work. The CWT program also helped me build my resume and improve my interview skills. They also provided job leads. As part of the program, we had to be in constant search for employment.

I worked in plumbing and maintenance at the Albany VA Medical Center while in the CWT program. My friend, David, who was also in the program, mentioned that the Saratoga National Cemetery where he was employed was a great place to work. I put in a request to transfer to the cemetery and began working there.

I worked very hard and was never late. I was often the first person there and even made coffee for everyone (I still do). I learned many of the important duties of a cemetery caretaker from the other employees. October marked the end of the season and the program ended, but I came back via the CWT program again in 2009.

After a couple of months, I was hired as a temporary emergency employee. I worked through the season and was laid off again that October. I had difficulty finding any kind of employment after that, but I never gave up. I connected with a temporary job agency and did get some work here and there, but it just wasn’t anything I could depend on.

Once again, I was feeling like I had hit rock bottom. Then in May 2010, everything changed. My ship had come in! I was hired full-time as cemetery caretaker. All of my hard work, dependability and believing in the CWT program had paid off. I couldn’t be happier! I am currently a WG-8 engineering equipment operator.

So, you see, I didn’t just get a great job, I got a great career. I work with a great team of guys and we’re all proud to be here and to be a part of honoring our fellow Veterans. I am quite sure that if it hadn’t been for the help I received from the CWT program, I would not have gained this opportunity. Thanks to everyone at the CWT.

Dan Cassidy, director of the Gerald B.H. Solomon- Saratoga National Cemetery, adds:

“Keith is a hard worker. He’s happy to take on any task given him and is extremely dependable. He is a Veteran and takes great pride in serving Veterans.

In general, the majority of folks in the CWT program just want a chance to get their lives back and to be productive. When I was at Riverside National Cemetery, we hired nine or 10 employees from of the CWT rolls and all were hard workers.

I am a firm believer in giving these Veterans a chance to reclaim their dignity and self-worth by hiring them when they show the initiative required to serve our Veterans. I think that when Veterans serve Veterans, it’s therapeutic, especially for those dealing with unresolved issues from their combat experiences.”

Keith Parkis is a United States Air Force Veteran and a proud VA employee. He lives in New York State

Servicemembers who suffered qualifying traumatic injuries will be impacted, regardless of location where injury occurred.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is extending retroactive traumatic injury benefits to servicemembers who suffered qualifying injuries during the period Oct. 7, 2001, to Nov. 30, 2005, regardless of the geographic location where the injuries occurred.

Effective Oct. 1, the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Traumatic Injury Protection benefit, known as TSGLI, will be payable for all qualifying injuries incurred during this period. This retroactive benefit is payable whether or not the servicemember had SGLI coverage at the time of the injury.

The Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2010, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in October of 2010, removes the requirement that injuries during this period be incurred in Operations Enduring or Iraqi Freedom – welcome news for the many servicemembers who suffered serious traumatic injuries while serving stateside or in other areas outside of OEF/OIF during this time period who previously were not eligible for TSGLI.

TSGLI provides a payment ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to servicemembers sustaining certain severe traumatic injuries resulting in a range of losses, including amputations; limb salvage; paralysis; burns; loss of sight, hearing or speech; facial reconstruction; 15-day continuous hospitalization; coma; and loss of activities of daily living due to traumatic brain injury or other traumatic injuries.

National Guard and reserve members who were injured during the retroactive period and suffered a qualifying loss are also eligible for a TSGLI payment, even if the cause was not related to military service, such as a civilian automobile accident or severe injury which occurred while working around their home.

National Guard and reserve members make up more than 40 percent of the total force which has been deployed since 9/11. Those who are no longer in the National Guard or reserves can also apply as long as their injury occurred while they were in service.

VA is working with the Department of Defense to publicize this change in the TSGLI law. Additionally, all of the branches of service are identifying any claims previously denied because the injury was not incurred in OEF/OIF and reaching out to those individuals.

Although applications are currently being accepted by branch of service TSGLI offices, benefits will not be paid until Oct. 1, the effective date of the law.

For more information or to apply for a TSGLI payment, servicemembers and veterans can go to http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm or contact their branch of service TSGLI Office, Contact information is available at above link.

Jonelle Draughn is the Program Coordinator of the Mental Health Homeless Programs at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. At their most recent Stand Down in Minneapolis in early August, 855 veterans were served.

Draughn says that, “It’s an amazing experience to see so many Veterans in one place and be able to get them connected to a variety of services in a short period of time. The goal is for our Veterans to get the help they need with minimal barriers. Sometimes the impact of Stand Down is remarkable in a Veteran’s life…we may see a Veteran who never received VA care before get easily connected to our program, and then go into our supportive permanent housing (HUD VASH). It’s also our community providers coming together to make it a success.”

There to help the Vets at the Stand Down were experts in legal affairs, including a Stand Down court, family law and civil law. Over 40 percent of the Veterans at the Stand Down had legal issues.

Providers were also available to explain VA Benefits, community benefits and referral information to government officials and agencies.

Vets were also assisted with employment and education information and Health and Wellness support, including over 200 pairs of reading glasses handed out and over 200 veterans receiving acupuncture.

As always, the Stand Down provided homeless Vets haircuts, hot meals, clothing, and of course, health care. Of the Veterans attending, 40 percent were Vietnam era veterans, 10 percent Gulf War era and 7 percent OIF/OEF. Significantly, 67 percent reported a disability.

VA Clinic at Fort Snelling Stand Down

The Minneapolis VA Health Care System also operated a VA Medical Clinic at the Homeless Veteran Stand Down at Fort Snelling in August.

Approximately 284 Veteran patients were seen for basic health care screening, including glucose and HIV testing with a routine physical exam and discussion with a provider.

Four VA staff assisted with a joint VA-DoD effort which included 20 local Air Force and Navy Reserve and Guardsmen who supplemented VA Clinic operations. Ten new patients were identified as eligible for care and enrolled at the site. Three patients were also consulted for care at the Medical Center and two were identified for emergency care.

According to David Adriansen, VA Clinic Manager, “A VA Clinic had not been operated in this manner in years past, and this set the benchmark for future Stand Downs.”

For some homeless Veterans, a Stand Down means a hot meal and a haircut.

For others, it’s a day that turns their life around.

In times of war, a Stand Down means a break from the battles. For some Veterans who fought those battles and came home to fight other conflicts in their private lives, struggles that left them lost and homeless, a Stand Down can be a chance to embark on the road back to their lives.

“Vets are always so thankful and appreciative that we can get them a bed, give them a meal, help them regain their hope and pride.”

— Lisa Pape, National Director, VHA Homeless Programs

For homeless Vets, a Stand Down is a break from the street, the hunger, the despair, a time to connect with other Vets, a time to find out what’s available to get them off the street and help them return to a life they once knew. VA is working hard to get as many homeless Veterans to as many Stand Downs as possible.

Lisa Pape runs the VHA Homeless Program and is confident that, “Stand Downs provide hope for our Veterans. It tells them VA cares and there are services available to help them.

“Vets are always so thankful and appreciative that we can get them a bed, give them a meal, help them regain their hope and pride.

“We have a great call center to help homeless Veterans. I hope that family members, community agencies, or just anyone who wants to help a homeless Veteran will pass this number along — 1-877-424-3838.”

Stand Downs are one-to-three day events providing health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling, and referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as housing, employment and mental health and substance abuse treatment.

The original Stand Down for homeless Veterans was modeled after the Stand Down concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations.

“A sense of hope”

Pape, who organized Stand Downs for Medical Centers, describes the atmosphere at the events as, “Very busy, very dynamic, with a great feeling of welcoming. There is a pervasive sense of hope by the Vets that there is a way out of their situation.

“Most of the Vets at Stand Downs are Vietnam and post-Vietnam Vets but we are also starting to see some Veterans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Stand Downs are intended to be collaborative, grassroots events coordinated between local VAs, other government agencies, and community agencies which serve homeless Veterans. In addition to this coordination role, staff from local VA facilities typically provide volunteer support for local Stand Downs particularly in health screening, triage and services, mental health assessments and referrals, and increasingly, screening and referrals for housing placements.

Pape, National Director of the VHA Homeless Programs, is very passionate about her job and gets emotional when talking about her goals. “Any homeless Vet on the street is a travesty. We have to end that. I have the privilege and honor to help those Vets get the help they need. I couldn’t work in a better place.”

Daughter of an Army Veteran, Pape knew from graduate school that she wanted to work with Veterans. “I was hired by the VA right after school and have always worked in the homeless program.”

Specific services typically provided at a Stand Down include:

- Meals

-Personal care (haircuts, personal care supplies, clothing)

- Picture ID services

- Health care screening (HIV/AIDS, TB, Hepatitis C, etc.)

- Health care services (provided by health care professionals)

- Eye care

- Dental care

- VA benefits

- General benefits counseling (Social Security, Food Stamps, local health and human services)

- Substance abuse counseling/recovery groups

- Mental health counseling

- Legal services

- Employment services (job referrals, employment counseling)

- Housing services (referrals to programs)

- Spiritual services

- Activities to empower homeless Veterans and create a “community” (town meetings, tent leaders, open mike, entertainment, graduation).

$20 Million Dollars Worth of Help

Since 1994, Operation New Hope (ONH) in Hillsborough, NJ, has served as the distribution hub for surplus clothing and materials supporting homeless Veteran Stand Downs. For this current year to date, ONH has processed, sorted, stored and shipped materials valued at $20,670,124 to 112 Stand Down events nationwide.

Last year, while most VA Medical Centers had previously held Stand Downs, there were 13 sites that held their first Stand Down. Stand Downs were held in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

The total number of Veterans served during 2010 Stand Downs was 44,325. Of these individuals, 40,729 (92 percent) were male Veterans, and 3,596 (8 percent) were female Veterans. In addition, 5,905 spouses/companions and 1,790 children of Veterans attended, for a total of 52,020 Veterans and family members served.

The Veterans served at recent Stand Downs reflect the challenges faced by our newer generation of Veterans. Of the 512 Veterans who participated at the Winterhaven Homeless Veterans Stand Down held in Washington, DC this past January, 37 were women Veterans and six were from the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq (OEF/OIF/OND).

Stand Downs are very dependent on volunteer support to be successful. More than 27,000 volunteers supported Stand Downs during 2010, an average of 141 volunteers per event.

There is a Stand Down almost every week somewhere in America. The full schedule is posted on the VA website.

By Alex Horton

There are many important changes to the revamped Post-9/11 GI Bill that are ready to become law next week. Many changes relate to the pursuit of non-degree training, which will help Veterans who don’t necessarily want to use their benefits at a traditional school. There’s also a new housing allowance for exclusively online students.

Courtesy of VA’s GI Bill page, here are the changes for October 1:

Non-college degree (NCD) programs: Non-college degree (NCD) programs offered at non-degree granting schools. Pays the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees or $17,500, whichever is less. Also pays up to $83 per month for books and supplies

On-the-job and apprenticeship training: Pays a monthly benefit amount prorated based on time in program and up to $83 per month for books and supplies

Flight programs: Per academic year, pays the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the school or $10,000, whichever is less

Correspondence training: Per academic year, pays the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the school or $8,500, whichever is less

Housing allowance for distance learning: Payable to students (other than those on active duty) enrolled solely in distance learning. The housing allowance payable is equal to ½ the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents. The full-time rate for an individual eligible at the 100% eligibility tier would be $673.50 for 2011

Active duty stipend: Students on active duty will now receive a books and supplies stipend

For continuous updates, news and announcements on education benefits, subscribe to the GI Bill Facebook page and bookmark the GI Bill homepage. The Facebook page is an easy way to get your GI Bill questions answered (in addition to the frequently asked questions page), and 1-888-GIBILL-1 can answer questions on specific cases.

By Marty Callaghan

Remains of 13 U.S. servicemembers killed in Tripoli harbor still haven’t come home.

They died together in a massive explosion that tore their ship to pieces. The blast must have killed the entire crew in an instant. They died only yards away from a foreign, hostile shore of during an extremely dangerous mission.

When their bodies washed ashore the next day, the enemy gawked at the disfigured remains for three days, and let stray dogs chew on the corpses. Then they were finally buried.

Master Commandant Richard Somers and his crew of 12 died as heroes on Sept. 4, 1804, when their explosives-packed ship, the Intrepid, blew up prematurely off Tripoli, Libya. The crew, all volunteers, were on a mission to destroy enemy ships in the harbor. But something went terribly wrong in the final moments of that commando raid. Somers and his men died in battle, but they were never brought home for proper burial.

Somers and his 12 shipmates were honored Sept. 17 during a ceremony in Somers Point, N.J. “Richard Somers Day” is held there annually to remember the sacrifice of these heroes, and to send a message to the federal government: It is time to bring the Intrepid crew back home.

“With recent changes in the Libyan government, the chances of repatriation approval for the remains of Richard Somers and his crew appear to be to our benefit,” said Sally Hastings, president of the Somers Point Historical Society. “Libya’s new leaders may be willing to repay us for the help they received during their revolution. The graves of Americans who fought against their country long ago are probably not significant to them. I think we are in a better position than ever before.”

Jack Glasser, the city’s mayor, also thinks the winds of political change in Libya will benefit efforts to retrieve the Navy heroes from Tripoli. “Now that the leadership has changed in Libya, our government must support the effort to bring the crew home,” he said. “Now is the time to do it, because we may never again have an opportunity like this.”

Richard Somers Day ceremonies included remarks by Rep. Frank LoBiondo of New Jersey. He spoke to the crowd of the need for Congress to pass H.R. 1497 – an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal 2012 – that directs the Secretary of Defense to take necessary actions to bring Somers and his crew back home for burial. LoBiondo introduced the bill, co-authored by Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan, last April, and it was passed by the House of Representatives on May 26 in its version of the NDAA.

Hastings said this past Richard Somers Day included representatives from Somers, N.Y., named for the naval hero in 1808. Hastings presented them with a key to the city of Somers Point.

“We continue to honor our local hero for being one of the first officers in the U.S. Navy, and the dedication he had in serving our country – even forfeiting his life while attempting to free his comrades,” Hastings said. “Richard Somers, more than 200 years later, has not been forgotten.”

Glasser hopes that both houses of Congress will get behind the effort to bring Somers and his men home. “That would mean a great deal to the families, our city and to veterans everywhere,” Glasser said.

At its spring meetings last May, The American Legion passed a resolution urging the president and Congress “to support legislation and policies that will use all reasonable resources to achieve the fullest possible accounting of all missing American service members, regardless of location or era of loss.”

Tim Tetz, the Legion’s Legislative director, wrote a May 24 letter to House Speaker John Boehner, asking for his support of H.R. 1497, authored by Reps. Mike Rogers of Michigan and LoBiondo.

“There, within a forgotten cemetery, lie the remains of an American naval hero, Master Commandant Richard Somers, whose legacy inspires those still serving in the Navy,” Tetz wrote. “There lie remains that family members have pled to have returned to the United States. It is therefore the opportunity and – more importantly – duty of Congress to direct that we recover the remains of those Americans within Tripoli…. The time has come to bring our heroes home.”