Michigan Veterans News & Resources for Sept. 30, 2020

News on Vietnam Blue Water disability claims, a cost-of-living increase and Operation Veteran Care Package in Pontiac

Dear Veteran,

In a move that should speed up disability claims for Vietnam Blue Water veterans , VA officials have announced they have completed digitizing thousands of deck logs from ships stationed offshore during that war, enabling researchers to better determine where troops served and what toxins they may have encountered. Read more in Military Times.

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Veterans receiving government benefits will see a cost-of-living boost in 2021, if Social Security officials approve one for their recipients later this year. The Senate unanimously passed legislation to link the two federal payouts, sending it to the White House to become law. President Trump is expected to sign the measure soon, according to Military Times.

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A Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency program that connects veterans with colleges, universities and trade schools and improves veteran services at those institutions has won a national award for its impact on veterans. MVAA was presented the 2020 Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award for its Veteran-Friendly Schools program. The award is presented by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA).

A key part of the Veteran-Friendly Schools program is an online dashboard that lists the institutions, the criteria they meet, their website link and other important information, and allows veterans to compare veteran-specific offerings at the institutions throughout Michigan.

Read more here. For more information about educational opportunities for veterans, call us at 1-800-MICH-VET.

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MVAA will host its third Operation Veteran Care Package event Oct. 10 in Pontiac. We invite veterans and National Guard/Reserve members to come pick up a FREE care package to show our thanks and appreciation for their service to our country. The packages are valued at up to $40 and include handwritten notes of thanks from students across the country. The event will be contact-free and measures are in place to keep everyone safe and healthy. In addition:

*Limited food boxes will be available on a first-come basis.

*Free flu shots for veterans and family members provided by Genoa Healthcare. Pre-fill and print form: https://bit.ly/2HE8Tid

EVENT DETAILS:

Saturday, October 10, 2020, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Pontiac Vet Center Parking lot, 44200 Woodward Ave, Pontiac, MI 48341

Register here: https://bit.ly/2Ed2GbG

If you would like a free custom dog tag, please choose the add-on. In the registration, you can choose your branch, blood type, religion, with a custom line for additional information. Note: We will not put SSN on the dog tag; do not give us that information.

Supplies are limited and registration is required. Please bring proof of service. One package per veteran.

Special thanks to Pontiac Vet Center, Walking with Warriors Veteran Navigator Program, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1370, Genoa Healthcare, and CaptionCall.

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