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Friday, April 23, 2021
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Michigan Veterans News and Resources for April 20, 2021
Veteran COVID vaccination clinic is April 26 in Metro Detroit
Veterans in Metro Detroit can get their COVID-19 vaccinations in Sterling Heights on April 26 in the second of several planned veteran vaccination clinics around Michigan hosted by the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA).
The clinic will run from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Lakeside Mall Drive-Thru, formerly Sears Auto, located at 14100 Lakeside Circle in Sterling Heights. Patrons will receive the Moderna vaccine and will require a follow-up appointment for the second dose.
Vaccines will be available free of charge for those who register in advance for a time slot by calling 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838) and choosing option 6. Registration is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Veterans are encouraged to bring their DD-214 proof of service, as representatives will be on hand to help them sign up for VA health care and other benefits.
The vaccination clinics are a partnership between the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) and the Michigan National Guard, which both fall under the state DMVA, and are under the medical direction of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
The Metro Detroit clinic will be the second vaccination clinic hosted by the DMVA, after a March 22 clinic in Marquette where 328 individuals were vaccinated.
"Our first vaccination clinic was highly successful, and we want to keep the momentum going," said MVAA Director Zaneta Adams. "There are tens of thousands of veterans and their families in Metro Detroit who deserve the highest-quality of care and access to medical benefits like the COVID vaccine. These vaccination clinics are integral in helping veterans across the state."
Michigan Veteran Homes to hire 150 in Chesterfield Township
Michigan Veteran Homes (MVH) is looking to recruit as many as 150 employees for the new home in Chesterfield Township, which is scheduled to open to veterans on May 17.
The veterans' home, at 47901 Sugarbush Road, is seeking to fill positions for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, activity therapy aides, administrative positions and pharmacy technicians. Those interested should email DMVA-MVHCT-Careers@michigan.gov.
"We are at a critical juncture as we continue to build our team that will be providing care to the veteran members at the new Michigan Veteran Homes at Chesterfield Township," said Anne Zerbe, executive director of MVH. "We are seeking dedicated, compassionate professionals who have a true passion for serving those that we care for at the Michigan Veteran Homes."
Construction on the $76.5 million home, which is funded by state and federal money, began in April 2019. Totaling 152,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art home consists of four unique neighborhood buildings and a community center. The neighborhood buildings collectively house 128 private rooms and feature shared living and dining spaces.
Latest $1,400 stimulus checks include payments to veterans
The US government has issued a new set of $1,400 stimulus checks that includes Veterans Affairs beneficiaries. The latest round marks the fifth batch of direct payments sent since the $1,400 checks were first authorized by Congress through the American Rescue Plan in March. The new round includes approximately 2 million stimulus checks for a total of more than $3.4 billion.
This time, the checks include Veterans Affairs beneficiaries who receive compensation and pension benefits who do not normally file tax returns and who did not use the IRS non-filer tool last year. Social Security beneficiaries who also did not file tax returns for the past two years and who did not use the non-filer tool were also among the recipients.
In total, the fifth batch of payments included about 1.2 million direct deposit payments and almost 800,000 paper checks. The payments had an official payment date of April 14. However, the money could have arrived earlier for some people, as the checks began processing on April 9.
Most people do not need to do anything to get a stimulus check. However, the IRS is urging some people to file a tax return to receive the money for which they are eligible. That includes federal beneficiaries who need to submit information on any dependents who may qualify for the money, as well as people who do not normally file tax returns nor receive federal benefits.
If your income is $72,000 or less, you can file your tax return for free using the IRS Free File program. Filing a 2020 tax return will also enable you to claim a recovery rebate credit if you missed out on the previous $1,200 or $600 stimulus checks.
Read more from CNBC.
Troops exposed to Agent Orange outside of Vietnam could receive presumptive benefits
Lawmakers are pushing to expand disability benefits for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during fighting in Vietnam while deployed to nearby countries. Pennsylvania Reps. Matt Cartwright and Brian Fitzpatrick recently introduced new legislation to expand the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange for disability benefits to veterans who served in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia during the conflict.
Veteran advocates have pushed for Congress for years to close the gap in Agent Orange benefits for individuals exposed to the chemicals in the 1960s and 1970s but never set foot on Vietnamese soil. Typically, veterans seeking disability benefits must prove that their injuries and illnesses are directly connected to their time in the military, but in conflicts like Vietnam, the chemical defoliant Agent Orange was used across the country with little clear documentation of when US troops were exposed, federal officials have made exceptions to those standards of proof.
The bill would include veterans who served in the following locations:
- Army Bases or Royal Thai Air Force Bases between Jan. 9, 1962 - May 7, 1975
- Pranburi Military Reservation in Thailand between Jan. 1, 1964 - April 30, 1964
- Laos between Dec. 1, 1965 - Sept. 30, 1969
- Kompon Cham Province in Cambodia in April 1969
Read more details from the Military Times.VA dumps plans to stop students from adding non-degree classes to keep GI Bill benefits
Veterans Affairs officials are backtracking on plans to bar student veterans from "rounding out" their degree programs with non-required courses to maintain their GI Bill benefits, saying they'll look for other ways to ensure the system isn't being abused.
Department leaders had planned to end this practice in August, a move that could've cost some veterans thousands of dollars in tuition payouts and housing stipends, but VA Secretary Denis McDonough announced the department will no longer make the change, allowing the practice to continue. Currently for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, students receive tuition at state colleges and a monthly housing stipend if they're enrolled full-time in a degree program, however if students don't take a full course load, those payouts can shrink dramatically.
Under the move, Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits won't count against future GI Bill payouts. It's unclear how many veterans might be affected by the change because of varying course work and degree programs. More than 900,000 students used GI Bill benefits for college in fiscal 2019.
Read more about the change from Military Times.
This email was sent to jmc001@ameritech.net using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Dept of Military & Veterans Affairs · 3411 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. · Lansing, MI 48906
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Saturday, March 13, 2021
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
VFW Foundation and Harley Davidson
More information about what is going on in Michigan will be shared soon. Please keep your ears and eyes open at your post!
The VFW Foundation is currently working with 60 Harley-Davidson dealers in AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MO,MI, NC, SC, TN, TX, WI, and WV to raise money for the Unmet Needs program. This relationship was collaborated with Jesse James Dupree the lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock bank Jackyl and his marketing extension MightyLoudEnterprises which subsequently led to VFW sponsorship of the Daytona Motorcycle Rally. VFW Posts have been introduced to Harley-Davidson dealers in their geographic areas to schedule VFW/Harley-Davidson events which are on-going (even in this restricted COVID-19 environment). To date, $104,350 total funds have been raised by Jesse James Dupree's efforts!
Saturday, March 6, 2021
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Sunday, January 31, 2021
Monday, January 18, 2021
Friday, January 15, 2021
Saturday, December 19, 2020
Gold Star Family Memorial Monument Brick Paver Donors - Posted from Riders Facebook
Hello Riders,
I received a follow-up email to our VFW Rider donation to purchase a brick at the Gold Star Family Memorial.
Gold Star Family Memorial Monument Brick Paver Donors:
On behalf of our Clinton Township Gold Star Monument Committee, thank you very much for supporting the memorial that will soon grace the Clinton Township Community Center landscape.
As you know, the memorial recognizes Gold Star Families' losses and honor their fallen service members. Clinton Township is the custodian of the monument and will make it available for all Gold Star Family members, Nation-wide, who wishes to spend some time at the striking black granite monolith. I believe you will be very proud of your brick paver and even more of the monument you helped build. The brick pavers will be placed next to the 24'x28' concrete apron surrounding the monument.
We are planning for a monument dedication date of 12 June 2021. The $78,000 project is fully funded thanks to you and a little over 100 other generous donors. We also have a small contingency for unplanned expenses and possible cost overruns, plus dedication day expenses which surprisingly can be over $2,000.
The Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation entered a contract with the monument sculptor last month. They expect to have the product completed by late March. We plan for a local excavation company to install the monument foundation during early April and the monument will be placed on the foundation in early May. The concrete apron and sidewalk should be placed mid May with bricks, landscaping and electrical work completed by late May. It is a tight schedule. If we have unanticipated weather or construction delays, we may need to extend the dedication date to late July -- Hopefully not!
The brick pavers placement will be one of the last tasks completed during late-May. Your order forms are at the engraver's office and when digitized, we will email the file to you for your final edit and approval.
We are accepting brick paver and bench orders until 28 February 2021. Clinton Township will not continue paver sales following the dedication. If you know of someone who would like to recognize a person or family or simply honor and express their respect for Gold Star Families, please let them know that bricks must be purchased by 28 Feb.
After all bills are paid, our account will be closed and the remaining funds will be moved to Woody's Gold Star Family Scholarship Fund. We have asked the Foundation to encourage MI Gold Star Family kids to apply for the money.
For further information please take a look at the Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation web page: http://hwwmohf.org/monuments/clinton-township-mi.html, and the Gold Star Family Monument Clinton Township facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=gold%20star%20family%20monument-clinton%20township.
Give us a yell if you have questions concerning the schedule or your brick paver donations -- or anything else. Call, 810/278-0413, or email, straffon@aol.com.
Karen & Nick Straffon and Monument Committee Co-Chairs
I received a follow-up email to our VFW Rider donation to purchase a brick at the Gold Star Family Memorial.
Gold Star Family Memorial Monument Brick Paver Donors:
On behalf of our Clinton Township Gold Star Monument Committee, thank you very much for supporting the memorial that will soon grace the Clinton Township Community Center landscape.
As you know, the memorial recognizes Gold Star Families' losses and honor their fallen service members. Clinton Township is the custodian of the monument and will make it available for all Gold Star Family members, Nation-wide, who wishes to spend some time at the striking black granite monolith. I believe you will be very proud of your brick paver and even more of the monument you helped build. The brick pavers will be placed next to the 24'x28' concrete apron surrounding the monument.
We are planning for a monument dedication date of 12 June 2021. The $78,000 project is fully funded thanks to you and a little over 100 other generous donors. We also have a small contingency for unplanned expenses and possible cost overruns, plus dedication day expenses which surprisingly can be over $2,000.
The Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation entered a contract with the monument sculptor last month. They expect to have the product completed by late March. We plan for a local excavation company to install the monument foundation during early April and the monument will be placed on the foundation in early May. The concrete apron and sidewalk should be placed mid May with bricks, landscaping and electrical work completed by late May. It is a tight schedule. If we have unanticipated weather or construction delays, we may need to extend the dedication date to late July -- Hopefully not!
The brick pavers placement will be one of the last tasks completed during late-May. Your order forms are at the engraver's office and when digitized, we will email the file to you for your final edit and approval.
We are accepting brick paver and bench orders until 28 February 2021. Clinton Township will not continue paver sales following the dedication. If you know of someone who would like to recognize a person or family or simply honor and express their respect for Gold Star Families, please let them know that bricks must be purchased by 28 Feb.
After all bills are paid, our account will be closed and the remaining funds will be moved to Woody's Gold Star Family Scholarship Fund. We have asked the Foundation to encourage MI Gold Star Family kids to apply for the money.
For further information please take a look at the Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation web page: http://hwwmohf.org/monuments/clinton-township-mi.html, and the Gold Star Family Monument Clinton Township facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=gold%20star%20family%20monument-clinton%20township.
Give us a yell if you have questions concerning the schedule or your brick paver donations -- or anything else. Call, 810/278-0413, or email, straffon@aol.com.
Karen & Nick Straffon and Monument Committee Co-Chairs
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Monday, December 7, 2020
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Friday, November 20, 2020
COVID-19 Vaccine for Veterans, Free Customer Experience Certificate, Changes to Patient Billing FWD BCCd to VSOs
Join the Coast Guard Auxiliary
SIGN UP | VIEW/SHARE | EVENTS | WELCOME KIT | PODCAST
Scroll down for a list of all events this week
Understanding Your VA Patient Billing Statements
Veterans will not be charged for interest or administrative charges until at least December 31 for medical care received since April 2020.VA stopped mailing monthly patient billing statements in April. Veterans with an account balance will receive information-only letters in November with information on copayment charges and voluntary payment options.LEARN MORE
What You Need to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine
VA is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to plan how to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available, all while prioritizing Veteran and employee safety. Your VA medical facility will update you when vaccines are available.LEARN MORE
Participate in Ongoing COVID-19 Trials
As part of fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, VA is recruiting volunteers for COVID-19 clinical trials at select VA facilities across the country.PSA VIDEO SIGN UP
VA Report Lists 71 Top Customer Experience Initiatives
Over the past five years, VA's trust scores – as determined by VA's Veteran customers – have increased by 24% – showing the positive impact an intentional commitment to, and investment in customer experience can have for those we serve.LEARN MORE DOWNLOAD
102-year-old World War II Veteran has Columbia park named in her honor
VA Releases Customer Experience Guide for Federal Agencies
The Customer Experience Cookbook is offered as an aid for any government organization or CX practitioners that have the desire to become more customer-centric by establishing a CX program.LEARN MORE DOWNLOAD
Veteran Owes his Life to a Partnership-funded Lung Cancer Screening
Free Customer Experience Training
Veterans and their families can boost their skill set with a free Operational Customer Experience Management training program and certificate offered by Medallia. Attend a November 19 webinar to sign up for the free self-paced online program.LEARN MORE
Learn How to Support a Veteran Loved One
Coast Guard Auxiliary for Camaraderie and Service
Looking for camaraderie and a chance to contribute? Volunteer with the Coast Guard Auxiliary! Auxiliary volunteers help the Coast Guard accomplish its missions. The Auxiliary has units in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam.LEARN MORE
Tips to Stay Safe from Scammers
VA Podcast: Borne the Battle
Alongside Iraq War Veteran David Eckert, Vietnam War Blue Water Navy (BWN) John Burns educated BWN Veterans on how to file a claim to receive compensation.LEARN MORE LISTEN
Support Veteran Job Seekers on LinkedIn by Writing a Post with #offeringvetshelp and Searching #VetsOpenToWork
Pennsylvania Virtual Veterans Experience Action Center Assists 500+ Veterans with one-on-one assistance
These VA-hosted events offer one-stop VA and community support to include updating and adjudicating claims; enrolling in VA health care, and scheduling medical appointments; accessing housing and temporary financial assistance, and applying for State Veterans Benefits Assistance.LEARN MORE
VA Podcast: My Life, My Story #3: Simon's Work is his Hobby
Listen to Simon's story, whose work is his hobby.LEARN MORE LISTEN
Virtual Events this Week
Nov. 19 - VA Benefits and Claims Town Hall
Nov. 19 - Jacksonville Virtual Career Fair for Veterans
Nov. 19 - Dallas Virtual Career Fair for Veterans
Nov. 19 - Soldiers' Angels Veteran Mobile Food Distribution - San Antonio, Texas
Nov. 19 - VA Caregiver Support Program Expansion
Nov. 19 - VA Benefits Pennsylvania Townhall
Nov. 20 - Soldiers' Angels Veteran Food Distribution - Atlanta, Georgia
Nov. 20 - Olympia, Washington Veterans Stand Down
Nov. 20 - Soldiers' Angels Veteran Food Distribution - Orlando, Florida
Nov. 23 - Virtual Coffee House - Veteran Business Chat
Nov. 23 - Veterans Business Outreach Center Orientation Webinar
Nov. 23 - VA Benefits Georgia Townhall
Nov. 24 - National Virtual Career Fair for Veterans
Nov. 24 - "Chief Chat" with Medal of Honor RecipientsVIEW ALL EVENTS
VAntage Point:
- VA chief research officer receives award for advancing prostate cancer research for Veterans
- VA, federal partners plan for COVID-19 vaccination distribution
- VA report lists 71 top customer experience improvements and initiatives
- VA recruiting volunteers for COVID-19 clinical trials
- VA, America Salutes You partner to bring attention to suicide prevention resources
- VA recognized for clear, consistent communication to Veterans
- VA confirms authority for its health care professionals to practice across state lines
- VA releases 2020 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report
Need to contact VA?
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, Chat, or Text 838255
Homeless Veteran Resources: 1-877-424-3838 or Chat
White House VA Hotline: 1-855-948-2311Don't know what number to call?
1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411) is never the wrong number
Find a VA Facility near you.
FACILITY LOCATOR
Not sure where to start?
VA WELCOME KIT
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