Military Veteran's Information

[jharrelson]

To view and download VA news release, please visit the following Internet address:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel


VA Announces SGLI and VGLI Premium Reductions
Peake: Change Makes Programs More Affordable

WASHINGTON (April 7, 2008) -

Veterans and military personnel with life
insurance policies managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will see a reduction in their premiums, thanks to improved investment
earnings and a reduction in non-combat claims.

The premium cuts affect military personnel covered by Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and veterans covered by the Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI).

"The reduction in SGLI premiums makes life insurance even more affordable for today's men and women in uniform," said Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "Lower VGLI premiums will allow more veterans to provide this low-cost financial security to their families."

On July 1, 2008, the premiums for basic SGLI will be 6.5 cents per month for $1,000 of coverage, down from 7 cents per month for $1,000.
This translates into a 7 percent savings.

Service members with the maximum $400,000 of coverage will see their monthly premium reduced from $28 to $26.

Service members are also covered against severe traumatic injury for an additional dollar each
month.

The reduction in SGLI premiums is made possible by lower, non-combat-related claims and increases in investment earnings.

VA officials believe this premium reduction will help maintain the nearly universal participation in the program.

VGLI provides renewable term policies for people after their discharges from the military.
Veterans pay premiums according to their age for
this coverage.

On July 1, 2008, VGLI premium rates will be reduced for veterans aged 30 to 64, who make up 85 percent of those insured under the program.

Premium rates for those under age 30 are already competitive.

Premium reductions, ranging from 4 percent to 12 percent, are a result of fewer claims being received.
The reductions will ensure that VGLI remains highly competitive with similar insurance offered by commercial insurers.

"With servicemembers putting their lives at risk against terrorism, life insurance coverage is more important than ever," added Peake.

Peake said the premium reductions should result in increased program participation and retention.
With increased enrollment, the department may be able to reduce rates in the future.

More than 2.4 million people currently participate in the VA-managed SGLI program, with another 433,000 in VGLI.

To obtain more information about the SGLI and VGLI premium reductions or to view a table with the new VGLI rates, visit the VA insurance Web site at http://www.insurance.va.gov or call the Office of Service members' Group Life Insservice membersurance at 1-800-419-1473.
Service members

[1stsgt]

jharrelson:

Thanks for posting the information update concerning VGLI. If it helps just one veteran your time was well worth it.

[1stsgt]

Scammers Sending Bogus IRS E-Mails

Week of May 12, 2008

The scammers are already attempting to bilk people out of their economic stimulus payments by sending bogus e-mails claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. These e-mails advise people to click on a specific link and fill out the necessary information in order to receive the stimulus payment. IRS officials clearly advise against responding or opening any links. According to the IRS Web site, the IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications or request personal information through e-mail. People who receive e-mails claiming to be from the IRS should report such activity by following the directions found on the Internal Revenue Service's website.

To learn more about personal finances and tax return information, visit the Military.com Finance Center.

[1stsgt]

With the cost of travel increasing every day all qualified personel need to know this information:

Space "A" a Great Way to Fly
Week of July 14, 2008

More people are considering Space A travel on military aircraft as an alternative to the high priced commercial airlines. Unfortunately, a lack of experience and bad information has kept many military people from taking advantage of Space A. Fortunately, thanks to Dirk Pepperd's Space A Message Board and John D's Space A FAQ websites, military travelers can get the inside scoop on how to take advantage of this great benefit.

Learn more about all your travel options at Military.com.

[1stsgt]

FYI
PA Bill Encourages Buglers
Week of July 14, 2008

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently voted to encourage students across the state to learn to play "Taps." The nonbinding measure, which passed 203-0, addresses the problem of finding buglers for military burials. The House resolution calls on Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education to direct school districts to train students to play the military bugle call. For more information, visit the Taps Bugler website, which is devoted to the history and perpetuation of Taps.

Find ways to support and honor U.S. military servicemembers and veterans who protect our security and freedom. Visit Military.com

[tink24tom]

veterans who stay at state parks in oregon get 5 nites if you are service connected. longer stays you have to pay for the nites exceeding 5. my favorite park is valley of the rouge state park on I-5 south of grants pass.
tom wilson

[whodo]

For more information on eligibility and how to get the Oregon State Parks Pass that "tink24tom" mentioned above go to http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/fee_waivers.shtml

[garynrosvi]

I wrote OR State Parks asking about any discounts for Vets, disabled or seniors at OR state parks. :mad: The following is a letter from Marcy Teal: Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept. Information Center 1-800-551-6949

"The Oregon State Parks are funded by user fees, park maintenance and repairs are funded by lottery dollars. Additional funding is not available to offer a disability discount. The State parks offer ADA accessible campsites and restrooms but there is no fee reduction. The Federal parks do offer some type of senior or disability discount. For more information on the forest service parks pass program, call toll free 800-270-7504 or check on line at www.fs.fed.us/r6/passespermits/index.shtml"

[fixit]

Oregon State Government is NOT noted for timley information or benifits for veterans--UNLESS YOU OWE THEM $$.Then they will comunicate rather rapidly with you:D Plus you have to have been born in Oregon or lived here for 50 years before you are eligable for what few bennies they do allow.But live here for 1 day and you will be taxed. The Feds wont let them do that tax bit( income) any more but when they got away with it,it sure burned me up.(just one side of a long story)
safe travels
fixit

[1stsgt]

Agent Orange Bill Introduced
Week of August 04, 2008

House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) recently announced the introduction of H.R. 6562, the Agent Orange Equity Act of 2008. The bill would restore equity to all Vietnam veterans that were exposed to Agent Orange. Currently, VA requires Vietnam veterans to prove "foot on land" in order to qualify for the presumptions of service-connection for herbicide-exposure related illnesses. The Agent Orange Equity Act of 2008 is intended to clarify the law so that every servicemember awarded the Vietnam Service medal is fully covered by the comprehensive Agent Orange laws Congress passed in 1991. The text of the bill is available online. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.6562:

[1stsgt]

Marine Corps Unveils Documents
Week of August 04, 2008

How the Marine Corps can best be employed and the Corps' contributions to national defense in the coming years and decades is outlined in the Vision and Strategy document, which was signed recently by Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps. What's more, the Capstone Operational Concept, which will act as the first chapter in the forthcoming Marine Corps Operating Concept for a Changing Security Environment, 3rd Edition, is scheduled to be published early next year. According to Col. Steve Zotti, director, Strategic Vision Group, Headquarters Marine Corps, all Marines should read these documents. View the Vision and Strategy 2025 document. View the Capstone Concept. Click on the link below.
http://www.marines.mil/units/hqmc/cmc/Documents/MCVS2025%2030%20June.pdf

Vision Statement
The Marine Corps of 2025 will fight and win our Nation’s battles with multicapable MAGTFs, either
from the sea or in sustained operations ashore. Our unique role as the Nation’s force in readiness,
along with our values, enduring ethos, and core competencies, will ensure we remain highly
responsive to the needs of combatant commanders in an uncertain environment and against irregular
threats. Our future Corps will be increasingly reliant on naval deployment, preventative in approach,
leaner in equipment, versatile in capabilities, and innovative in mindset. In an evolving and complex
world, we will excel as the Nation’s expeditionary “force of choice.”

[1stsgt]

VA Disability Claims Decision Appealed
Week of August 04, 2008

The veterans groups Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth, Inc. have asked a federal appeals court to overturn a lower court ruling and force the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expedite disability claims and treat troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The groups' original lawsuit was filed in July 2007 and claims the VA system that identifies and processes sufferers of PTSD collapsed. For more information, visit the Veterans for Common Sense website http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/ and the Veterans United for Truth website http://www.veteransunitedfortruth.org/.

[tink24tom]

some oregon parks employees probably do not know what service connected means.

[debandi]

Thanks tink24tom and whodo for the good information. I am filling out my application this weekend.
Thanks again

[1stsgt]

Agent Orange - Prostate Cancer Linked
Week of August 11, 2008

UC Davis Cancer Center physicians released research data showing that Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange have greatly increased risks of prostate cancer and even greater risks of getting the most aggressive form of the disease, compared to those who were not exposed. Based on medical evaluations conducted between 1998 and 2006 of 13,000 Vietnam veterans, twice as many veterans exposed to Agent Orange were identified with prostate cancer. The findings will appear in the Sept. 15, 2008 issue of the Journal of Cancer. A copy of the study can be requested by e-mailing Amy Molnar at amolnar@wiley.com . For more information on the UC Davis Cancer Center, visit its website.

Read the article on Military.com.

[1stsgt]

Dear Veteran,

The Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) established this bulletin to keep our customers informed of changes that may directly affect your Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) policy.

For instance, did you know premiums for Veterans Group Life Insurance were reduced for veterans between the ages of 30 and 64 on July 1, 2008? You can find out more about this rate change, obtain information about beneficiary designations, find the best time to contact our office, and more, by taking a moment to read the most recent VGLI Newsletter.

If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to osgli.osgli@prudential.com or contact Customer Service by calling (800) 419-1473

Thank you,

Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance

[1stsgt]

Health System Seeks Feedback
Week of October 13, 2008

The Military Health System invites wounded, ill or injured servicemembers and their families to respond to a new pair of questionnaires designed to help MHS leaders better understand the needs and expectations of the warriors in their care. The questionnaires -- one for wounded, ill or injured servicemembers and one for their family members -- are available on the Military Health System Website will remain open for completion until Oct. 15, 2008. All questionnaire responses are anonymous. Questionnaire results and analysis should be available in November 2008, at the Military Health System website at www.health.mil. For more information regarding these questionnaires, telephone (703) 681-1750.

[1stsgt]

Sam's Club Offers Military Open House
Week of November 24, 2008

Sam's Club announced it will host three open houses for military personnel, including retired and active service members and their families, nationwide, to make their holiday brighter. Military personnel can shop and save on their holiday meals and gifts at Sam's Club without a membership. The company will also waive its 10 percent non-member service fee. The military open houses will be held Monday, Nov. 17, Monday, Dec. 1 and Monday, Dec. 15 in 598 Sam's Club locations in the U.S., during regular club hours. More information is available at: www.GoodSamsClub.com

[1stsgt]

VA to Open 31 New Clinics
Week of December 08, 2008

Veterans will soon have easier access to world-class health care under a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plan to open 31 new outpatient clinics in 16 states. The VA announced they will establish new clinics in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Vermont. The community-based outpatient clinics, or CBOCs, will become operational by late 2010, with some opening in 2009. Local VA officials will keep communities and their veterans informed of milestones in the creation of the new CBOCs.
Read the full article.
http://www.military.com/news/article/va-opening-31-new-outpatient-clinics.html

[1stsgt]

Holiday Greetings for Veterans
Week of December 08, 2008

Want to share some joy by letting hospitalized veterans know you are thinking of them during this holiday season? Sending greeting cards, care packages, and e-mail messages of thanks and appreciation for their service are some of the ways to do that. A number of corporations and non-profit organizations are pitching in to help brighten the holidays for as many hospitalized veterans as possible. To see how you can participate, click here.http://www1.va.gov/opa/vafeature/holiday-support.asp

Find ways to support and honor U.S. military servicemembers and veterans who protect our security and freedom. Visit the Military.com Support our Troops webpage. http://www.military.com/benefits/resources/support-our-troops

[1stsgt]

ALERT-TRICARE FOR LIFE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK :mad:

I don't know how many of you Partake of the Tri Care for Life program but
Here is a very interesting note on the subject. Seems as though our President Elect has placed a priority on cutting it out of the budget as a means to Provide funding for those things he promised during the campaign. In any case, On page 189 of the Congressional Budget Office report, see the note below on how To get to that spot, there is a strong recommendation to eventually eliminate The program as it is too expensive. I would ask that you contact your elected Officials and register your strong opposition to the elimination of this Program. Just another move to slight those of us who dedicated much of our Adult lives to the defense of our country. Thanks for listening.

Heads-up from BG Bob Clements, USAF Ret (P38 Bob)

The following has Been added To the Congressional Budget Office Web Site (www.cbo.gov<http://www.cbo.gov/> ): a. Budget, Options, Volume 1: Health Care
(http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=9925
<http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=9925> ) For those who have never opened One of these web sites from OMB :
1. Double click on the above URL
2. Click on PDF
3. Click on the binoculars
4. Do a search for TFL (or you can go direct to page 189 of the report)

[sirslink]

I was going to rant and raive, but I won't, I know where they can better find money, start with welfare terminate it after 2 years if you don't have a job by then tough $hit. Some of these people have 2 and 3 generations on welfare and they live well, big screen TV's new furniture etc.Stop paying money for each child born out of wedlock under welfare. They can put all the unemployed to work on hyway and street projects which is costing us a fortune in taxes thereby reducing unemployment and taxes. I could go on and onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. I mean lets face it, people need to get a little smarter, gov''t is getting too big for it's britches, what the Gov't giffith they can taketh away. I was just looking at my phone bill there is taxes on taxes unbelievable. They tax my retiement my socsec, everything I buy initially then tax me on it at the end of the year because I have it. OK I'm done:mad:

[fixit]

Haven't complety read the TFL document, just enough to get the impression that the "great Messiah" and his minions are going after some of the"burdens on the taxpayers" who lived up to their end of the contract and served with honor( and survived), but this is a normal move at each change of the white house occupiant. We retires are a minority in this country and it appears to be OK to treat us unfairly when ever the whim strikes the local/national lib.To me, it boils down to who can trust "them"---not me!
Semper Fi
safe travels
fixit

[fixit]

sirslink:
I believe if all taxes were looked at closley,45 years ago most were not around and most welfair taxes/payouts were non-existant 30 years ago.
Bail outs,golden parachutes,professional welfair folks,and in general ALL left hand liberals, and grubbing politicans( our current crop being the worst of all) make this possiable. Hard times, they are a comming.
semper fi
safe travels
fixit

[fixit]

All:
I dont believe I have seen an orignal idea amoung politicans in the last 68 years, no reason for them to start now. They keep repeating the same mestakes over and over and gotta stop this or will probably be kicked off:o
safe travels
fixit

[sirslink]

Yup your correct fixit