We currently stand at 1006 paid Post 3 members. That’s just under 91% of our goal of 1107: During January we had 16 by mail, 14 online, and 1 transfer. Let’s keep those renewals coming in during February.
If you have not received your 2024 membership card and have sent a payment, please let us know. Mail does get lost or damaged, going
both ways. We try to get cards out within a day or two of receipt of
payment. Nebraska Life members account for 53 members, PUFL (Paid up for Life) members account for 121. PUFL members if you have not received your 2024 cards let me know. They are mailed out by the National HQ’s during July 2023.
Thanks to those who have made use of the MyLegion web site to
renew their membership. It is quick and easy. You can even print
your own 2024 membership card. We check daily for those members who have renewed online the day before and get their 2024 membership cards in the mail the next day.
When you get your 2024 card, please check the years of service to be sure it is correct. Had many that were incorrect for 2023. If they are incorrect, please let the office know so we can get it corrected for you. This includes misspelled names, change of address, etc.
One possible reason your number of years might be off is that you
happened to renewal for 2023 after national had printed the 2024
membership card. Another reason might be that you might have
forgotten to renew for 2023. I try to catch those who did not renew last year, to drop them a note letting them know they have lost their continuous years by not renewing.
For those who might be interested, you can set up an auto renewal by using the MyLegion web site. Just a thought to those who want an easy way to remember to pay their yearly dues. One drawback is you need to have someone stop the payments when the members die.
The American Legion national leadership is currently working on
instating a $5.00 a year dues increase. We will keep you informed as
to when it could take effect after National releases more details to the Department and the Posts.
We have lots of members who do not have a phone number or an
email address on file. For many we also are missing branch of
service, or war era. National has been printing the data that is in the
Legion data base on the back of the renewal slips. Please check and
correct when mailing in your renewals. Thanks
Memorial Services: The Honor Guard has been busy this year with
memorial services and flag details. This would be a great time to
review your memorial plans with the family. Locate your DD214 or
other discharge papers. You have earned the right to burial in a VA
cemetery or request a VA headstone for a private cemetery. You can
do all this now by going to the VA web site and filling out the forms. If you need assistance, see your local service officer, or give me a call.
Again, Thanks for your Service and Thanks for being a member of
Post 3. Also remember to thank your fellow Veterans for their service.
Ed Schnabel
Adjutant
The Lincoln Clinic, is still recovering from a water pipe break. Some of the clinics have changed locations due to the water damage. When you sign in, you might be told to go to a different location for their waiting area. Again, I cannot say it enough. Does your family know where you DD214 or other discharge papers are? I receive requests for help in finding them after the Veteran has died. There are three places to start if you need a replacement.
You can request a copy on the Department of Veterans Affairs web site. If you filed your discharge with Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs, you may obtain a copy there. If you filed your discharge with the county clerk, you may get a copy there. Any of the three can provide you a copy, but it will not happen overnight. Do it now. Tell your family where to find it. It does little if they do not know where to find it. A good place is to give a copy to your funeral home and your church.
There are several places that can provide you with the latest and up to date information on VA benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs website would be a good place to start. By setting up an account on this website you can gain access to almost all the VA benefits you have earned. VA loans, GI Bill, VA Disability, VA medical care, Death benefit, etc.
If you have not already done so, you should establish a MyHealtheVet account. This account allows you to track the medical care you receive from VA Hospitals and Clinics, view your VA medical records, order refills of VA meds, track travel claims and any co-pay payments.
After you set up the basic account you will need to stop by a HealtheVet learning center, found in many VA hospitals and clinics, to upgrade your account to a Premier account. This is the key to being able to view your medical records online from home. This step is to verify that it is you and not someone trying to gain access to your medical records. You will need to provide a photo ID to confirm your identity. Only takes a few minutes to complete. Remember to bring your sign-in signature and password.
Flu shots are currently being given at most VA clinics or hospitals. Covid shots are currently being given by appointment only. You need to call the clinic to schedule an appointment. Express Care is a walk-in service for those who wish to have a nurse check out minor items. Express Care hours run from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Lincoln clinic. This care is available to those who might wish to see a VA nurse without an appointment during normal hours.
On August 10, 2022, President Biden signed the PACT Act into law, extending VA health eligibility to many veterans and expanding benefits to eligible veterans. The PACT Act expanded benefits for exposures to toxic substances. This PACT Act now PRESUMES that exposure to toxics substances caused many health problems to those who served in these theaters.
If you have filed a claim for Agent Orange or other toxics and it was denied, you need to file a claim update and get a new review. One of the major benefits for Vietnam veterans is that it now covers services for those who serviced in Cambodia, Loas and Thailand.
This allows you to file new claims for many of your health problems without needing to prove your service there caused them. This is a major change; the VA now PRESUMES that service there is a direct cause for many health problems.
One of the forms that the VA would like to have on file for all veterans who use its hospitals and clinics is an Advance Directive Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Will. Form VA 10-0137 can be picked up at your local clinic or hospitals. This form allows you to inform the VA who you might wish to make health care decisions if you become disabled and thus unable to do so.
Want to serve your fellow Veterans? The VA can use more volunteers at your local clinic or hospital. You volunteer to help veterans in the clinic or hospital, or a veteran’s home. Or you can donate to your local clinic, hospital, or veteran’s home. They can always use a monetary donation, or you can donate activities bags for younger kids to have when they come to the clinic / hospital with a parent for their appointments. There is always a need, younger kids come with parents, grandparents when they are too young to be left at home alone. Clinics / hospitals can always use books, magazines, etc. for patients. You would need to check with your local hospital / clinic / veteran’s home volunteer office to see what items they need or allow. This would be a great project for your church, school, or youth group.
Another way to serve your fellow Veterans! Donate to a local VSO (Veteran Service Organization). From cash for purchasing food for a special meal, or car repairs, etc. Most local VSO would welcome a donation so they could give more to those who have given so much.
If you are thinking of filing a VA claim for a VA disability, be sure to use a Service Officer from a VSO or state / county service office. These people are there to serve you with filing a claim.
They have been trained and will assist with your claim at no cost. Be careful of the attorneys running ads on TV or in magazines claiming to help you with a claim for your military service. There is a big catch -Their Fee. Before you sign up for their services, be sure to understand that they get a percentage of what your award is. Some of the fees amount to 50% or more of what the VA awards you.
The State Veterans Affairs Office is a great place to start a claim. From time to time, they run veterans claims outreach at your local VA clinics. If you can attend one of these you can talk with a service officer, who while you are talking, can file your claim. You just have to have your military service records showing date and place of service for the claim you are filing.
Thanks for your service to your fellow Veterans and thanks for your service to this great country.
God Bless,
Ed Schnabel
American Legion Representative to the Lincoln CBOC
Follow us on Facebook by clicking the icon above,
or visit our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/LincolnAmericanLegionPost3/
Copyright © 2023 American Legion Post 3 - All Rights Reserved
Powered by GoDaddy