Town Hall meeting Senator Daniel Akaka will have a town hall meeting at 4 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Veteran’s Center on Kapule Highway. Everyone is invited and is free to make comments. Unlike the previous committee hearing, this will
Town Hall meeting
Senator Daniel Akaka will have a town hall meeting at
4 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Veteran’s Center on Kapule Highway.
Everyone is invited and is free to make comments. Unlike the previous committee hearing, this will be more of a talk story type gathering moderated by Akaka.
Representatives from the VA and other agencies will be available to answer questions, offer advice or to hear problems that need to be solved. Although Senator Akaka is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, this meeting is being organized by his office personnel. He wants to hear the concerns of the Kaua‘i veterans as he continues his work to improve veterans’ care.
Veterans Council activities
The council is preparing for its annual veterans day parade to be held in Kapa‘a at 10 a.m. Nov. 10.
After the parade, Ms. Kaua‘i Veteran 2007-2008 and the results of the annual fund-raiser will be announced. Applicants for Ms. Kaua‘i Veterans must be seniors in high school. Information will be available in the schools at the start of the school year or the individual may call Dr. Belles, at 822-3677. The Veterans Day memorial services will start at 11 a.m. Nov. 12.
Kaua‘i veteran elected for state leadership
Daniel Cordes from Kaua‘i and the Adjutant for American Legion Post 51 has been elected as the Senior Vice Commander for the state. This position is the number two leadership position for the American Legion in Hawai‘i.
Kaua‘i Museum
The Veterans Council has appointed Larry Schlang to head a revitalization effort of the Veterans Museum. Larry needs a museum committee to establish goals and objectives and again get the museum doors open to the public. Tour guides, curators, committee members and an administrative staff are needed.
The museum contains important military history information with exhibits that focus on the contributions of the military veterans on the island. These include exhibits and contributions of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Korean War, Vietnam War and other veteran organizations. If you are willing to volunteer, call Larry at 826-4417 or e-mail him: lhschlang@hawaiiantel.net.
Update on Columbarium
The County and DAGS have executed a letter of agreement that allowed DAGS to design and manage the project. The design has been completed and was advertised for bids in July. The opening is in August and DAGS anticipates awarding a construction project by Aug. 24 with a completion date of Oct. 31.
Aug. 13 VFW fund-raiser
The Veterans of Foreign Wars will have a fund-raiser on Aug. 13, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the War Memorial Convention auditorium. The featured presentation will be Dr. Sandia’s Concert of Magic and Hypnotism. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children and will be available at the door or can be purchased by calling Richard at 332-8859.
Secretary of Veteran Affairs resigns
Secretary R. James Nicholson, Department of Veterans Affairs, resigned from the President’s cabinet effective not later than Oct. 1.
New OVS Director
Governor Linda Lingle appointed former state representative Mark S. Moses as the Director of the Office of Veterans Services. Moses is a retired Marine Corp Major who served as a member of the State House and represented several communities on O‘ahu. Prior to holding an elective office, Moses worked at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Mana as a senior systems engineer and senior project manager.
G.I. Bill Benefits
According to the VA, more than 40 percent of the Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits are unused each year. Upon separation from active-duty, veterans have up to 10 years to use all of their benefits. An individual who starts college eight years after leaving service will have only two years to complete a degree.
Agent Orange
in Okinawa
Veterans who served in Okinawa during the Vietnam era may have a claim for compensation on those diseases presumably caused by Agent Orange. The U.S. Board of Veteran Appeals found that the defoliant Agent Orange was probably used in Okinawa and ruled in favor of a serviceman who had filed a claim.
Filipino Veterans Inequities
During World War II, the Philippines were a commonwealth of the United States and individuals served in the United States Armed Forces. These veterans lost their veteran benefits under the Rescission Acts of 1946.
Senator Daniel Inouye has initiated action and included provisions in Senate Bill S0057 (Veteran’s Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007) to correct this injustice. An excellent way to give your support is to encourage your friends and families across the nation to write their congressional delegates to support this bill.
Benefits for the Merchant Marines
Another bill in Congress is to amend the United States Code to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the U.S. Merchant Marines (Including the Army and Navy Transport Services) during WWII. There are 200 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.
