VFW LOMITA POST 1622 HOTLINE

OF INTEREST TO VFW  MEMBERS

VETERANS Helping Veterans

Right now, we are preparing to welcome two families of veterans and military personnel with a real home – just in time for Christmas.
Both halves of this brand new duplex on our campus at the VFW National Home for Children are almost ready – but we need you to help us furnish them for these families – families who have made such great sacrifices in service to our country.

You already know our mission – because you’ve stepped up before – to help provide a warm, supportive home for the children and families of America’s war heroes at a time of personal crisis.

Your generous gift will help provide everything these families need to have while they are here and what most of us take for granted – their own table, in their own family home, to gather around for Christmas dinner.

Please don’t delay – contribute online today.  https://www.vfwnationalhome.org

Time is short, and there is so much to do. Your generous gift of $25 or more will help us provide the basics for each family:

• A dining room table and chairs
• A kitchen equipped with appliances, pots, pans, and cooking tools
• Furniture for a family living room, and a television
• A washer and dryer, and a vacuum cleaner
• Three sets of bedroom furniture
• We’re preparing to help two more families. And we can’t do it without you.
  
  But we need your help now

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts,

Patrice Green
Executive Director

P.S. Christmas is coming, and we need your gift right away. Please be as generous as you can to these brave families, who have given so much for you.

To all my Brothers from another Mother, and Sisters “VETERANS Helping Veterans & their Communities”

House Approves Vet Status for Gray-Area Retirees

The House approved legislation (H.R. 3787) that seeks to provide veteran status for Reserve retirees who are not yet old enough to receive military retired pay and TRICARE benefits they'll receive at age 60. These so-called "gray area retirees" are not considered "veterans" under the law unless they were activated under federal orders at some time during their careers. FRA believes that all who served 20 or more years in the Reserve Component should be granted veterans status. The Association strongly supports this bill and its Senate companion (S. 1780) that authorizes this for members of the Reserve Component who served 20 years or more and are considered military retirees, but are not currently eligible for benefits associated with veterans status. Members are encouraged to use the Action Center (www.fra.org) to contact their Senators on this important issue.

Gulf War Presumptions Expanded

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced the publication of a final regulation in the Federal Register that establishes new presumptions of service connection for certain diseases associated with service in Southwest Asia (including Iraq) or Afghanistan. Nine specific infectious diseases (Brucellosis, Campylobacter jejuni, Coxiella Burnetii (Q fever), Malaria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Nontyphoid Salmonella, Shigella, Visceral leishmaniasis and West Nile virus) have been associated with military service in Southwest Asia beginning on or after the start of the first Gulf War on Aug. 2, 1990, through the conflict in Iraq and also service on or after Sept. 19, 2001, in Afghanistan. With this final rule, a veteran will only have to certify service in the specified region, have contracted one of the nine diseases within a certain time after service and have a current disability as a result of that disease. Most of these diseases would be diagnosed within one year of return from service and there are time limits associated with seven of the diseases. For more information, visit www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-09-29/pdf!201 0-24360.pdf.

Veterans' Benefits - Hope or Hoax?

An erroneous e-mail is circulating that claims "The Veterans' CompensationCost-of-Living Act of 2010" (H.R. 4667, Public Law No: 111-247) will more than double veteran's disability compensation on December 1, 2010. The legislation is real; the increased benefits are not. The recently enacted legislation provides the same cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for VA beneficiaries as that paid to Social Security annuitants. These adjustments are expected to be minimal, if not zero, again for this year. The final data used to calculate COLAs will soon be released by the Department of Labor. Though not as monumental as the increases referenced in the hoax e-mail, Congress did approve a separate bill that provides improved benefits for veterans. "The Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010" (H.R. 3219), which is awaiting the president's signature, includes a variety of increased allowances, broader insurance options and stronger protections for vets returning to civilian jobs. For more details, read Tom Philpott's syndicated Military Update column (10-7-10) at www.fra.org.

TRICARE Coverage for Older Children

Senators Susan Collins (Maine) and Daniel Akaka (Hawaii) introduced "The Extended TRICARE Coverage for Military Families Now Act" (S. 3846) that would extend healthcare coverage for military children until they reach age 26. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (Fla.) and Jeff Miller (Fla.) have introduced similar legislation (H.R. 6227) in the House. If enacted, the measures would be retroactive to June 1, 2010, the date most large civilian insurers and the Federal Employees Health Benefits System extended coverage to older children under their parents' plan at no additional charge. The provision was part of the national healthcare reform measure and is available provided the child has no access to employer coverage.

Military families with TRICARE coverage don't have similar access for their sons and daughters who leave colleqe or otherwise age out of eligibility. A provision in the House and Senate versions of the FY20 11 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would extend TRICARE to military children, but delays in the legislative process make it uncertain when the measure will be approved. The NDAA provisions would require families to pay a premium for each older child covered. Members are urged to use the Action Center (www.fra.org) to ask their representatives and Senators to Pass this legislation.

DID YOU KNOW????

Did you know that Lomita VFW Post 1622 has 3 wheelchairs, 4 walkers, 2 bedside commodes, l metal cane and several pairs of crutches that can be loaned to members when these items are needed?  If you need any of the above-mentioned items, please contact Ed Granger (Post Surgeon).

VETERANS CENTERS

These Veterans Centers are for;      Any problems that you may have pertaining to Veterans Benefits

and PTSD group meetings...

East Los Angeles Veterans Center

5400 E. Olympic Blvd. #140                           Phone: 323-728-9966

Commerce, CA 90022                                     Fax: 323-887-1082

5730 Uplander Way Suite 100                        Phone: 310-641-0326

Culver City, CA 90230                  Fax: 310-641-2653

South Bay Veterans Resource Center

1045 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Suite 150        Phone: 310-767-1221
Gardena, CA 90247                                         Fax: 310-767-1403

If you need any information contact any of the Centers above or Stephen Hall - VAVS Los Angeles 1-310-650-1142 between 10:00am and 6:00pm.

Military Spouses Residency Relief Act

A new federal law exempts some civilian spouses' income from state income tax.

The newly-signed Military Spouses Residency Relief Act exempts personal service income and wages earned by taxpayers who reside with their military spouse, the Franchise Tax Board advises. The couple must have relocated to California under military orders for income to be exempt from California taxes. They must also share the same "domicile" or, true home outside California where they intend to return and locate permanently.

The act does not exempt nonmilitary income of military personnel. States cannot tax any military pay of nonresident military personnel.

The new law applies to all calendar year 2009, allowing refunds of any taxes withheld in 2009 on the now-exempt income. The refund form, FTB Form 540NR, California Nonresident or Part -Year Resident Income Tax Return, will be available from the FTB in January.

For future tax purposes, the Employment Development Department advises qualified taxpayers to submit new payroll withholding forms to prevent California tax withholding on future income.

The FTB is updating its Publication 1032, Tax Information for Military Personnel, with guidelines on the new federal law. The publication will be available in mid-December online at ftb.ca.gov, at military bases, and all FTB field offices.

For military families who want help completing their tax forms, the Military Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (Military VITA) offers free tax help at many bases starting February 1. For information on VITA locations, visit FTB's website after February 1 or contact a Judge Advocate General's (JAG) office, or call "LEE THE TAXMAN" at (310)328-8 111.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT 

“A LESSON FROM THE GEESE”

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the bird following it.  By flying in a “ formation”, the flock’s flying range is 71% greater than if each bird flew alone.

LESSON:  People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are taking advantage of each other’s thrust.

VFW & AUXILIARIES:  We have a great organization, but it is only as good as we work together to get programs accomplished.  Let’s learn from each other and use each other’s skills and knowledge.

Whenever a goose falls out of the formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly it alone and quickly gets back in formation to take advantage of the “lifting power” of the bird immediately in front.

LESSON:  If we’re as smart as geese are, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want

to go.

VFW & AUXILIARIES:  Our “National” and “State” organizations establish our programs, goals, and objectives.  They are clear-cut and laid out well in advance.  Let’s all get on board to do our best to accomplish our tasks.  Let’s get there together!

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another flies at the point position.

LESSON:  It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership.  People, as well as geese, are interdependent with each other.

VFW & LADIES AUXILIARIES:  Leadership is a tough job.  As we move through the chairs we learn our duties and responsibilities.  Our Chairmen learn responsibility and leadership through working their programs or projects.  When we’re elected to the positions of Commander and President we take on our biggest challenges.  After that year in office, it’s time to pass the reigns over to a new person.  Hopefully, time has taught them the lessons they need to lead. 

The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

LESSON:  We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging—not less helpful.

VFW AND AUXILARIES:  As with all teams, encouragement is always welcome.  However, as you all well know, if the honking is negative such as bickering, finger pointing, bitching, and complaining, then it’s a drain on the team.  Let’s decide to join the team rather than try to tear it down.

When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to protect it.  They stay with it until it is either able to fly again or dies.  They launch out on their own, joining another formation or catching up with their flock.

LESSON:  If we have as much sense as the geese, we’ll stand by each other like they do.

VFW AND AUXILIARIES:  We’re a service organization.  As we take care of Veterans, their families, and those people in our community, let’s not forget to help those closest of all – our own family members and those within our Post and our Auxiliaries.

Anonymous

VA Reopening Health Care Enrollment to Thousands of Veterans

WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which now has nearly 8 million Veterans enrolled in its award-winning health care system, is poised to welcome nearly 266,000 more Veterans into its medical centers and clinics across the country by expanding access to health care enrollment for certain Veterans who had been excluded due to their income.

"This incremental approach to expanding enrollment ensures that access to VA health care for a greater number of beneficiaries does not sacrifice timely access or quality medical care for those Veterans already enrolled in VA's health care system," Dr. Gerald Cross, VA's Acting Under Secretary for Health, said. "Over the next four years, we hope to provide enrollment to more than 500,000 Veterans."

Under a new regulation effective June 15, VA will enroll Veterans whose income exceeds current means-tested thresholds by up to 10 percent. These Veterans were excluded from VA health care enrollment when income limits were imposed in 2003 on Veterans 'with no service-connected disabilities or other special eligibility for care. There is no income limit for Veterans with compensable service-connected disabilities or for Veterans being seen for their service-connected disabilities.

Veterans who have applied for VA health care but were rejected due to income at any point in 2009 will have their applications reconsidered under the new income threshold formula. Those who applied before 2009, but were rejected due to income, must reapply. VA will contact these Veterans through a direct-mail campaign, Veterans service organizations, and a national and regional marketing campaign.

Information about enrollment and an income and assets calculator are available at www.va.gov/healtheligibility. The calculator provides a format in which Veterans enter their household income, number of dependents, and zip codes to see if they may qualify for VA health care enrollment. In addition to applying online, Veterans may also contact VA's Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222 -VETS (1-877-222-8387). Each VA medical center across the country has an enrollment coordinator available to provide Veterans with enrollment and eligibility information.        Doug Perkins Quartermaster