Remember Kauai’s “Missing in Action”
On National POW/MIA Recognition Day (Sept. 21), America honors the more than 78,000 extraordinary patriots who are still missing in action from our nation’s wars.
On Kauai, this date marks another year of waiting for the families of Kauai’s five U.S. Army veterans who have not yet come home from the Korean War: Sgt. Jose Balalong, Sgt. Sidney Kaui, Cpl. Mitsuyoshi Ishida, Cpl. Muneo Yaka and Pfc. Takeshi Sasaki.
We must never forget their service … we must never forget their courage … we must never forget their sacrifice.
Disabled vets eligible for “Space A” travel
“Space A” travel has long been an affordable method of travelling between military installations that has saved travelers hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of dollars in commercial airfare.
The program permits active duty and retired military personnel and their eligible family members to fly aboard military contracted aircraft when there are open seats.
Travel is permitted throughout the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and to certain scheduled overseas locations.
The recently signed 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) extends this program to include 100 percent service-connected permanently disabled veterans, but not their dependents. (See DoD Instruction 4515.13.)
“Space A” travelers always face the risk of being “bumped” off the flight at each stop potentially leaving the traveler stranded and seeking meals, lodging and/or local transportation while awaiting other “Space A” opportunities.
Advanced registration at the desired passenger terminal of departure is required.
For more information about scheduled flights departing Hawaii’s only AMC Passenger Terminal, visit the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HickamAMC.
Commissaries, exchanges accessible for veterans
The NDAA 2019 also authorizes Purple Heart and Medal of Honor recipients, former prisoners of war, service-connected disabled veterans — and their caregivers — to shop at on-base commissaries and expands access to most recreational and exchange facilities.
(Source: NDAA 2019)
Claims involving secret missions get assistance
Veterans claiming a service-connected disability resulting from a secret military mission now have assistance in verifying their participation.
A VA liaison officer is now assigned to work directly with U.S. Special Operations Command historian at MacDill AFB, Fla.
The liaison officer is a full-time employee of the VA and has access to records involving special operations units including Army Rangers, Army Special Forces, the Army’s 160th Aviation Regiment, Navy SEALs, Air Force Special Operations and Marine Corps Special Operations and Reconnaissance units.
Once located and sanitized the information is provided to the VA Regional Office handling the veteran’s claim.
Veterans will only have direct contact with the liaison if more information is needed to track down records.
Claims from veterans who say they took part in an intelligence operation run by the Defense Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency or other government organization can also be researched by the VA liaison officer if a classified mission is involved.
(Source: Multiple)
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Sgt. Maj. Tony Elliott USMC (Ret) is a member of the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services on Kauai.
