The approval rate of claims is running at approximately 66 percent for the Air Force, yet many have not applied for the program. The other services are also reporting that many have not applied. The benefit was expanded to include
The approval rate of claims is running at approximately 66 percent for the Air Force, yet many have not applied for the program. The other services are also reporting that many have not applied. The benefit was expanded to include all combat or combat related disabilities rated as service connected at 10 percent or higher. The lack of participation is attributed to individuals not being aware of the program or confusing the program with that of Concurrent Receipt.
Misinformation about columbarium
With the installation of the new columbarium at the Hanapepe Veterans Cemetery, some veterans and their families thought that they could reserve spaces for future burials. Arrangements can only be made upon the death of a veteran or dependent spouse. Upon passing of the survivor, the individual may share the same grave space.
Veteran benefit expiration dates.
Many benefits have an expiration date. The Montgomery GI Bill expires 10 years from date of last discharge. The Veterans Education Assistance Program expires 10 years from discharge or release from active duty. The Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserve expires 14 years from date of eligibility or upon release from Selected Reserve or National Guard. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefit expires 12 years from service or from being awarded a service-connected VA disability compensation. The Service members’ Group Life Insurance ends after 120 days from separation, but can be extended up to one year for totally disabled veterans.
Special license plates
As a reminder, the state of Hawai‘i does issue special license plates for vehicles. For the same cost as a regular license plate, qualified veterans can acquire distinctive license plates for their car or motorcycle. Plates available are “Veteran,” “Combat,” “Combat Wounded,” “Pearl Harbor Survivor,” “Former POW,” “World War II Veteran,” “Korean War Veteran,” and “Vietnam Veteran.”
Army to retire BDU’s
The Army’s Battle Dress Uniform, introduced in 1981, will fade into history. Soldiers will stop wearing the BDU and its paler cousin, the Desert Battle Dress Uniform, on April 30. By then, all soldiers will be wearing the Army Combat Uniform that debuted in June 2004. Other related clothing and gear affected by the wear-out date include the brown T-shirts, black combat boots, the green/black jungle boots, the woodland and desert-camouflage caps and the olive drab and green name and U.S. Army tapes.
Veteran’s Texas Hold ‘Em tournament
The Kaua‘i Veterans Club is considering sponsoring periodic Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments for its members. Membership is open to all honorably discharged veterans. There will be an entry fee which will be returned in its entirety as prizes to participants. A survey is being taken to determine is there is sufficient interest. Email Johnny at kauaiveterans@aol.com or call 245-1625.
Presidential memorial certificates
Upon the death of a veteran, the family is entitled to a Presidential Memorial Certificate recognizing the military service of an honorably discharged veteran. The next of kin or other relatives may request them in person at any VA regional office or by mail to: Presidential Memorial Certificates, Department of Veterans Affairs, 5109 Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22143-3909.
Requests should include a copy, not the original, of the deceased veteran’s discharge document and clearly indicate to what address the certificate should be sent.
Air Force demographic profile
The U.S. Air Force released some interesting data concerning their total forces. As of Dec. 31, 2007, roughly 20 percent were women, 15 percent were African American and 61 percent were married. The average officer age was 35 years old and the average enlisted age was 29.
Special package mailing rate for troops overseas
After March 3, mailers should take advantage of the new flat rate boxes available at the Post Offices. There is no weight limitation. Everything that fits in the 12-inch-by-12-inch-by 5.5-inch box can be mailed by priority mail for $10.95 to any APO/FPO location.
Stimulus payment
The IRS will use information from the 2007 tax returns to determine eligibility and calculate the amount of payment due the taxpayer. Individuals must file a return if they want to be one of the more than 130 million who will receive a check from the Treasury Department starting in May.
Individuals must have at least $3,000 in earned income. Qualifying income includes Social Security benefits and disability compensation, pension or survivors benefits from the VA. Although some benefits are not subject to be federally taxed, they are normally reported when filing federal income tax returns.
Monthly veteran feature
Veteran Council Adjutant Secretary Norvin Olivas graduated from Waimea High School and joined the Hawai‘i Army National Guard in 1964 at the age of 17. He was activated in May 1968 with the rest of the Guard and served a tour in Vietnam. Olivas reenlisted and was discharged from the active Army in 1973.
He continued to serve in the guard, was promoted to First Sergeant at the Kapa‘a Armory, then transferred to the Hanapepe Armory. He retired in 2002 after 28 years of total service. His military honors include three awards of the Army Commendation and one award of the Meritorious Service Medals.
Olivas was employed and retired from the U.S. Postal Service, serving mostly at the Lihu‘e Post Office. During his career, he was active with the Hawai‘i American Postal Workers Union, having served several years as its president. He has a first-degree blackbelt in judo and a brown belt in So Bok Do karate. He and his wife, Jessica, reside in Lihu‘e.
• 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.
