Adjutant’s Report January 2022

Covid 19 Update: VA is requiring the use of masks. They are requiring the blue paper masks, no cloth masks. They will provide a mask for you. They are also giving Covid and Flu shots I need to thank those who were very generous with their gifts to our fellow veterans this Christmas season. Volunteer services were able to give gift cards to over 150 veterans who had requested them for themselves and their families. FLU shots. If you have a doctor appointment, you should be able to request a flu shot during your visit. Walk IN’s Again, dates and times will vary by the Clinic you go to for your VA care. Just a note, if you have old meds you would like to get rid of, you can now drop them off in the Pharmacy waiting area. There is a locked BLUE drop box where you can deposit your old, out of date meds. Get them out of you homes and keep out of our kid’s hands. If by chance you do not have a current VA ID card you can request one while you are in the clinic. You will need to have some form of ID that will allow them to double check your identity. You can use a state issued driver’s license and/or state issued ID card. The process is done by video computer link. Ask any VA clerk and they will show you where the room is for this video computer link. You can also get help to enroll in the VA system, etc. by using this computer link. Waiting areas, two on the main floor and two on the second floor have NEW NAMES. They are named Reception Area A or Reception Area B. Reception Area A is to the left and Area B is to the right of the main entrance. The nurse/staff will come to the reception areas and call you by your name. Try and be in the reception area about 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. A word on the VA Coffeehaus. As there is no space for it in the new clinic, we are now meeting at the Auld Rec center in Antelope Park. Dates are the third Friday of the month, starting at 10:00 AM and going until noon. Come and join your fellow veterans for some great music, coffee, and a roll. The Auld Rec building is a great location, all on one floor, lots of space, and parking at the door, no stairs. Buddy Check is on the 22nd of the month, 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Foundry, 14th and P Street downtown. Come and meet with your fellow veterans for free food and a drink. Lastly, if you would like to make calls to veterans, the VA has a new program, Compassionate Contact Care Volunteer Program. This would involve calling or receiving calls to talk with veterans. Details are still being worked out. This is another way to volunteer, but you will have to come to a clinic or hospital to do so. Remember, the VA will only to be there for us if we use its services. If we do not use them, the government sees it as a service not needed here and will cut funding for the Lincoln CBOC. The government funds each CBOC / hospital based on the number of veterans signed up for services in its service area. The veterans, do not need to be using the VA for their medical needs, just need to be enrolled in the VA Health Care System. Funding is based on foreseen needs, not current needs. Thus, we need to talk with our fellow veterans to be sure they are enrolled in the VA system. There are many veterans who could receive medical service but have never signed up for this benefit of our service. Again, it is the old story, use them or lose them. Thanks for your service, Ed Schnabel Lincoln VAG member (Veteran Advisory Group) Lincoln VA American Legion Representative for Nebraska