Weekly emails are sent to subscribers of the Office of Veterans Affairs web page updates. The following is an archive of email messages sent to current subscribers during the past 30 days:
May 17, 2012 - Looking for Veterans
We are looking for a Battle of Midway (BOM) Veteran. This year is the 70th Anniversary of the BOM and we would like to invite/host a Veteran or Veterans (preferable Navy, but will entertain anyone that participated) for a short talk on their experiences and the "turning point of WWII" before we watch MIDWAY over our lunch break on Monday, 04 June, at 1100-1300. The event will be hosted here at the Aerospace Data Facility on Buckley AFB.
Travel can be arranged if needed for the volunteer(s).
There will be wreath layings and various ceremonies and recognitions around the world on June 4th.
May 15, 2012 - Keeping Connected
If you have a VA claim, either pending or final, it is important to keep connected.
Keeping connected means keeping us informed of your current address, e-mail address and telephone number(s). Of course, if you are receiving VA payments, keeping your direct deposit information up to date is vital.
We recently “lost” a veteran, and it was important to locate him. He was scheduled for an Appeals Hearing, but didn’t receive the letter notice. He had moved, changing his address and phone number, but didn’t tell us or the VA.
Keeping connected, updating information is easy. Call us and we will enter the new information into our computer files. We can prepare the “Request for Change of Address, VA Form 20-572 and submit it for you.
March 15, 2012 - Retiring Old Glory
With the high winds this spring, our USA flags have taken a beating. Tattered and torn flags need to be replaced.
The flag should not be just dumped into the nearest disposal bin. It should be honorably and gracefully retired.
Various organizations conduct flag retirement ceremonies. This is one instance when it is proper to burn the flag. The ceremony, after a brief reading, ends with the flag burn.
The Douglas County Office of Veterans Affairs collects flags headed for disposal. Drop off the flags at the office, 4400 Castleton Court, Castle Rock, Co 80109. The office is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Any organization interested is conducting a flag retirement, please contact the Office of Veterans Affairs, 303-688-4825, Ext 5359. We have over 1500 flags awaiting the retirement ceremony.
February 15, 2012 - Assistance Program: SCAADL
This is a DOD program. Special Compensation for Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (SCAADL) was authorized in the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 111-84) and is administered by the Office of Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy.
The pay is not automatic; troops or their family members must apply. This special monthly compensation is for eligible catastrophically injured or ill Service members who require assistance with activities of daily living or who are at a high risk for personal safety and cannot live independently in the community without caregiver support.
SCAADL provides financial assistance for the non-medical care, support and assistance by a primary caregiver for the Service member. Catastrophically wounded, ill and injured Service members and their caregivers may reach out to their primary care managers or care coordinators to discuss eligibility for this program. It is paid to the service member, not the caregiver. To be eligible for this monthly stipend an eligible servicemember must: 21
Go to: http://militarypay.defense.gov/Tools/scaadlintro.html for more information on this program.
There is no doubt that caregiving can be a challenging job, but you can get the help you need. Here are 50 supportive tips – from emotional reassurance to suggestions for getting help. If you need additional assistance, call VA‘s Caregiver Support Line (1-855-260-3274) or go online at http://www.caregiver.va.gov
February 9, 2012 - Douglas County Veterans Organizations
We have four veterans organizations based in Douglas County.
American Legion Post Castle Rock
Meets every 3rd Tuesday -
New Hope Pres. Church
American Legion Post - Highlands Ranch
Meets 4th Tuesday of the month at East Ridge Rec. Center
Contact 720-663-1260
American Legion Post 1864 – Parker
Meets 1st Wednesday of month at the Parker Library
VFW Post 4266 – Parker
Meets 3rd Monday of the month at the Pinery Fire Station
303-945-6077
These groups have a combined membership approaching 400 plus. Many participate in community-based activities and events.
This is only a partial listing: Sponsoring youth to Boys State and Girls State, oratorical contests, selling poppies, putting up flags in public places on holidays, Honor Guard at veterans funerals, staging and participating in Memorial Day and other special events, speaking at schools, teaching about our American flag, sponsoring scout troops, and… many more activities!
These veterans organizations do not have a post facility and meet monthly for business and for planning community work. Occasionally they have social events as well. (That’s when the war stories get told.)
If you are a veteran, get active with any of these posts. Get involved with other veterans and get involved in your community.
Remember, volunteers live longer!
February 1, 2012 - Guard your information!
An organization called Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) is providing benefit and general information on VA and gathering personal information on veterans. This organization which can be found at http://www.vaservices.org/us/index.html is not affiliated with VA in any way.
VAS may be gaining access to military personnel and veterans through their close resemblance to the VA name and seal, the web site looks very official.
VA's Legal Counsel has requested that VA coordinate with DoD to inform military installations, particularly mobilization sites, of this group and their lack of affiliation or endorsement by VA to provide any services.
In addition, GC requests that if you have any examples of VAS acts that violate chapter 59 of Title 38 United States Code, such as VAS employees assisting veterans in the preparation and presentation of claims for benefits, that you contact your local VA office and request that they pass the information to Michael G. Daugherty, Staff Attorney, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel (022G2).
On a local note; there are a number of organizations that offer to assist veterans and their families with applications for VA benefits and services. Check to see if they are accredited by the VA to offer such assistance. The Douglas County Office of Veterans Affairs staff are both Certified and Accredited; and our services are free!
January 19, 2012 - Operation Paperback
Carson Sturgeon, a student at Clear Sky Elementary School is involved in a class project. They are collecting for Operation Paperback. This provides books for US Military members deployed overseas, at military hospitals, at USOs, and other places.
The need is now! The class project ends February 3, 2012.
Carson’s dad Mark is currently overseas, on active duty with the Army. Carson is a Cub Scout, Pack 260. This is also a service project for him.
If you have paperbacks to donate, bring them to the Office of Veterans Affairs. Remember, the last date for this collection is February 3.
January 17, 2012 - VA Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC)
3030 Downing Street, Denver CO
The CRRC is a dynamic, community based center for homeless veterans and their families to access VA services. Services include: permanent and transitional housing, employment services, VA & non-VA benefits, showers, laundry, and case management as we continue to push towards VA Secretary Shinseki’s goal of eliminating Veteran homelessness. Several community collaborators are committed to provide services to Veterans at the site.
January 12, 2012 - Vets - Job Hunting?
Please join the Eastern Colorado Health Care System at the Denver VAMC for the VA Job Club, and meet hiring employers on Thursday, January 19, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m, Denver VAMC, Building C, Room 111. This program is a joint venture between the VA Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program and the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment (CDLE).