The Veterans’ Corner: News you can use Military space “A” travel Space “A” travel has long been an affordable method of traveling between military installations that has saved travelers hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of dollars in commercial airfare.
The Veterans’ Corner: News you can use
Military space “A” travel
Space “A” travel has long been an affordable method of traveling 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. Prompted by Congress, a recent DoD study into the feasibility of expanding this free-flight program to include widows of deceased servicemembers, certain disabled veterans, “gray-area retirees” and their families, the DoD concluded that expanding this program would adversely affect the uniformed servicemembers for whom the program was first established. Additionally, the study found that budget constraints and a reduction in overall worldwide air missions has significantly reduced the availability of military contracted flights and Space “A” seating. (Source: Stars & Stripes, Sept. 12, 2012)
Stop-loss pay reinstated
The deadline to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay has been extended to October 21, 2012. Service members and veterans whose military service was involuntarily extended under the “Stop Loss” program between the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Sept. 30, 2009, are eligible for special retroactive pay for the hardships the involuntary extensions caused. Eligible members or their beneficiaries may submit a claim to their respective military service to receive $500 for each full or partial month served in a Stop Loss status. For more information, go to http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0710_stoploss.
Who is eligible for VA burial benefits?
Veteran — VA provides a gravesite in any veteran’s cemetery, a headstone, an American Flag and a Memorial Certificate at government expense. The VA does not pay for mortuary or funeral expenses for the veteran or his/her family members. The next-of-kin of certain veterans who were receiving a VA Pension or VA Disability or died while receiving VA medical care are entitled to a small monetary allowance.
Spouse — If a spouse predeceases the veteran and is buried in a veteran’s cemetery, the spouse will be placed in the gravesite where the veteran will also eventually be placed and a headstone will be provided at government expense. There are no monetary allowances paid.
Surviving Spouse — If a predeceased veteran is buried in a veteran’s cemetery, the widow/widower will be placed in the same gravesite as the deceased veteran at government expense. A new headstone depicting both names will also be provided at government expense. The VA provides no monetary allowances.
Divorced — The VA provides no burial benefits for the spouse of a veteran who was divorced or the marriage annulled prior to the date of death of the veteran.
Separated — A spouse who is legally married to – but separated from – a veteran on his/her date of death is considered to be a surviving spouse and is therefore entitled to the same benefits as a spouse or surviving spouse.
Dependent Child — Unmarried adult children under the age of 21, unmarried adult children under the age of 23 who are attending an approved educational institution as a full-time student, and unmarried adult children who became physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support before age 21, or age 23 if a full-time student are eligible for the same burial benefits as a spouse or surviving spouse.
Certain Parents — The biological or adopted parents of an active duty servicemember who dies in combat or while performing training in preparation for a combat mission, who leaves no surviving spouse or dependent child, may be buried in the same grave as the deceased servicemember at government expense. The VA provides no monetary allowances. (This benefit applies only to servicemembers who died on or after Oct. 7, 2001 and to parents who died on or after Oct. 13, 2010.)
Unemployed veterans eligible for “free” job retraining program
Certain veterans are being given a second chance to help themselves through Phase II of the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). Open only to unemployed veteran’s ages 35 – 60, this program offers the opportunity for retraining in hundreds of in-demand job fields. Phase I of the VRAP has helped 45,000 veterans, and Phase II is currently accepting another 54,000 participants through March 31, 2014. The program provides 12 months of new skills training assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty program ($1,564 per month). Participants must be enrolled in a program approved for VA benefits that is offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, Non-College Degree or a Certificate. The Department of Labor will also provide employment assistance to every veteran who completes this program. Applications are being accepted now on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more about the program, eligibility and important dates, visit http://benefits.va.gov/vow/education.htm or call Audrey Lee at Kaua‘i’s Workforce Development Office at 274-3056.
Upcoming events
Veterans Day Parade — Nov. 10 (Sat), 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Kapa‘a Ball Park
Veterans Day
Celebration — Nov. 11 (Sun), 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kaua‘i Vets Cemetery, Hanapepe
Veterans Christmas Party — Dec. 9 (Sun), 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Kaua‘i Veterans Center, Lihu‘e
