The Veterans Council extends its very best wishes for the coming year to all veterans and their families and asks that we remember the men and women in uniform, especially those in Iraq, Afghanistan or its surrounding waters. Happy New
The Veterans Council extends its very best wishes for the coming year to all veterans and their families and asks that we remember the men and women in uniform, especially those in Iraq, Afghanistan or its surrounding waters. Happy New Year!
At our nation’s capital
As we approach 2009, Hawai‘i veterans will be well represented at our nation’s capital. From our island, retired Gen. Eric K. Shinseki has been appointed as the Veterans Affairs Secretary. Sen. Daniel Akaka has been re-appointed as the Senate Committee Chairman on Veterans Affairs. Sen. Daniel Inouye is the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which can only help in the funding of the U.S. military and our veterans.
Rep. Neil Abercrombie will continue as the chairman of House Armed Services’ air and land forces subcommittee. Finally, President-elect Barack Obama, who will simultaneously be the Commander-in-Chief for all of our Armed Forces, was born in Hawai‘i and graduated from Punahou High School on O‘ahu.
There have been increased expectations that these leaders will be able to resolve the many veterans issues, to include their treatment after returning from combat and the expediting the processing of their disability claims.
Medical priorities
The Veterans Administration establishes medical priorities to determine who can be seen at VA medical facilities. All veterans can be seen except those in the Priority 8 category. These are those veterans with income and/or net worth above the VA national income and the geographic income thresholds. The exception is those Priority 8 veterans who were enrolled and had remained enrolled in the program since Jan. 16, 2003.
President-elect Barack Obama, during his campaign, stated that as president, he would permit veterans with non-service-connected disabilities to seek medical care with the VA system. This would include the Priority 8 veterans. Obama is being advised to move slowly and cautiously since the Veterans Administration would need more doctors and facilities to service all of the nation’s veterans.
First female and National Guard 4-star generals
On Nov. 18, Air Force General Craig R. McKinley pinned on another star and became the first four-star general in the National Guard. He became the chief of the National Guard bureau. Although there were other guardsmen who had that four-star rank, they achieved the status while on active duty.
The Army had another historic event in November by promoting Ann E. Dunwoody as the first female four-star general. She was also sworn in as the commander of the Army Material Command at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The first female general was Anna Mae Hays, who was appointed in 1970 and served as Chief of the Army Nurse Corps. Women make up 14 percent of the active Army and serve in a wide variety of assignments.
VA wrongfully recovered disability pay
In 1996, Congress enacted a law stipulating that disability and VA pension checks issued in the month of a veteran’s death shall be payable to the surviving spouse. The VA did not implement this new ruling. Surviving spouses may be due the final month’s pay.
If you believe you are due this benefit, there are provisions to determine your eligibility on the VA web site at www.va.gov, or you can contact the Suvivivors’ Call Center at 1-800-749-8387.
High school kupuna diploma program
The Hawai‘i State Legislature has passed an act that allows the awarding of a diploma to veterans who were unable to complete their high school due to compulsory induction to military service during World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars. A graduate equivalency diploma will also be awarded if the high school education was interrupted due to internment during World War II. The veteran must have been a resident of the state.
Winners of veterans’ fundraiser
The winners of the veterans’ fundraiser were announced following the Veterans Day parade on Nov. 8. The grand prize winter of the 2009 Mazda pickup truck was Mike Place of Kapa‘a.
The round trip to Las Vegas went to Janice Bond of Lihu‘e. Other winners included James Kurasato, Ed Thompson, Edward Kawamura, Alana Brun, Patricia Yamamoto, Januario Agradi, Mel Rapozo, Brad Turner, Paul Endo and Aiko Nakaya.
Changes in rendering the hand salute
Earlier this year, changes were made that allowed veterans and active duty military not in uniform to render the hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag. This honor has been further extended to allow the rendering of the hand salute during the playing of the national anthem.
Recipe Book
Do you have a personal or family recipe that you want to historically preserve? The Veterans Council in coordination with the museum committee is in the process of publishing a recipe book. Credit will be given to the individual or family. The recipe book will be sold and the proceeds will benefit the museum. For information, contact Aida Cruz at 246-1135.
COLA increases
The 2009 COLA increase of 5.8 percent is the largest in military retirement pay since 1982. The increase also applies to civilian retirees, Social Security, VA disability and survivors benefits. The increase was effective on Dec. 1 and individuals should see the increases in their January 2009 checks.
Veterans’ Texas hold ‘em tournament
The monthly Texas hold ‘em tournament was suspended during the holidays and will be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The next tournament will start at 9 a.m. on Jan 28.
There is a small entry fee, which is returned in its entirety through prizes.
For information, call Johnny Rabasa at 245-1625.
