In the previous column, the Veterans Council announced that the Veterans Center is under new management. The policies and procedures for its use have been revised and a new application form/contract has been created. All organizations or individuals who have
In the previous column, the Veterans Council announced that the Veterans Center is under new management. The policies and procedures for its use have been revised and a new application form/contract has been created.
All organizations or individuals who have a reservation pending are asked to contact the Veterans Center. Confirmation of past reservations is recommended. New rentals will be accomplished with the newly revised contract. Individuals may confirm their contracts by visiting the center on Kapule Highway or by calling Aida at 246-1135.
Veterans Day celebrations
The Veterans Day parade will start promptly at 10 a.m. on Nov. 10 in Kapa‘a. The roads will be closed for approximately one hour and residents are advised to use the by-pass road. Veterans Day memorial services will be held the following day, Nov. 11, starting at 11 a.m. at the Hanapepe Veterans Cemetery.
Miss Kauai Veteran
Candice Klein, daughter of Jennifer and Steve Klein of Kekaha, has been selected as Miss Kauai Veteran 2007-2008. She will be crowned after the Veterans Day parade Nov. 10. Klein, an honor student, is a senior at Waimea High School.
Veterans Center Christmas party
The veterans’ Christmas party will be held at the Veterans Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 9. The event is opened to all active duty, reserve and National Guard personnel as well as to all veterans and their families.
Families bringing children are asked to bring wrapped gifts imprinted with the children’s names. Gifts can be brought to the Veterans Center before the party so arrangements can be made for delivery by Santa Claus. Donations will be accepted. For information, call Aida Cruz at 246-1135.
Columbarium installed
The 64-space columbarium has been installed at the Hanapepe Veterans Cemetery. Families awaiting spaces for a final resting place for their loved ones are asked to visit Tony Elliott at the Office of Veterans Services on Kapule Highway.
Dedication of veterans home Nov. 12
The dedication ceremonies for the 95-bed Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home will be held at noon on Nov. 12 in Hilo. Although Sgt. Yukio Okutsu was a resident of Hilo, he was born in Koloa. Okutsu was a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and was awarded a Medal of Honor for heroism in Italy on April 7, 1945.
Flu shots
The flu vaccines have arrived at the Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Kuhio Highway. Flu shots are available to all veterans who are established patients with the Kaua‘i clinic. Individuals can walk in between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Disability compensation
We have encouraged returning war veterans to register with the VA for possible injury claims. Any veteran who served in the military can check with the Veterans Administration. A common misconception is that one must have been in combat and/or is retired from active duty to be eligible. Disability compensation is a monthly benefit paid to veterans based on injuries or diseases that happened on active duty, or were made worse as a result of military service. Evidence must be established to indicate it was a result of the veteran’s military service. For information, contact the veteran’s counselor at the Office of Veterans Services or the VA offices in Lihu‘e.
Documents required for VA benefits
Veterans seeking VA benefit for the first time must submit a copy of their service discharge (DD 214, DD 215, or for WWII veterans, a WD form). These documents verify the service dates, types of discharge and provide the service member’s name, number, branch and dates of service. Surviving spouses or children must also provide a marriage, death and birth certificates.
COLA increase
The vast majority of military retirees will have a 2.3 percent increase in their cost of living allowance effective Dec. 1. This increase will first appear in the January 2008 paychecks. Veterans with VA disabilities should also see a similar increase.
New VA secretary
Following the resignation of Secretary Jim Nicholson on Oct. 1, VA Deputy Secretary Gordon H. has become the acting secretary. Mansfield will remain in office until the next nominee by the president is confirmed by the U. S. Senate.
• Johnny Rabasa, a Hanama‘ulu resident and Kaua‘i High School graduate, served for 30 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a command sergeant major. He served in Vietnam. He also retired from the U.S. Postal Service, was postmaster at the Kaumakani post office, and worked at the Lihu‘e post office. He writes this monthly column exclusively for The Garden Island.
