12 JAX AIR NEWS,NAS JACKSONVILLE, Thursday, June 28, 2007

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everyone thought were sewer lines leading out to the ocean were actually fuel lines for the German subs,” Minchak said.

Minchak also recalls see-ing German prisoners of war (POWs) on the base. “They were treated very well, but they were very young and you could see they were homesick much like our POWs over there probably were,” added Minchak. “A lot of men came to NAS Jax because this is where they trained to become pilots during the war. Their training was only 90 days and then they were shipped out to fight the war. We called them the ‘90-day wonders.’”

A n o t h e r m e m o r y , Minchak vividly recalls is the day that a Marine shot a man scaling the base water tower. “We later found out that he had a bag of chemicals and was going to poison the water supply here,” she stated.

Joe’s squadron was due to ship out shortly before their first child was born in 1943. He was able to stay behind

until Ruby gave birth and then joined the war in the Pacific.

Joe and Ruby returned to NAS Jax in November 1944 where they remained for two years. “When we came back, we stayed with friends at the beach until the new housing complex at Dewey Park was complet-ed. We were one of the first families to move in there. It was nice, except for the big bugs that came out at night. I didn’t like those at all,” said Minchak.

During that time they saw the formation of the Navy’s Blue Angels and tragi-cally witnessed the team’s first fatality. “We were so excited. Unfortunately, one of the pilots wasn’t able to pull up in time and crashed. I remember cov-ering my daughter’s face. It was horrible. I later wit-nessed another Blue Angel crash at an air show in Quonset Point, RI, so I no longer attend air shows,” said Minchak.

In 1946, Joe was assigned to Adm. Richard Byrd’s staff as part of Operation Highjump, in Antarctica. On his return, he was

assigned to Quonset Point, R.I., where Ruby stayed to raise six children as her husband finished his naval career, retiring as a chief petty officer. Joe then worked for Raytheon until his untimely death at age 48. “It was definitely hard raising the kids by myself. Thank goodness I had his benefits from the military,” Minchak continued.

Today, Minchak still lives in Rhode Island and decided to visit Jacksonville when her son-in-law, a for-mer naval aviator, planned to come to the University

of Florida Proton Therapy Institute for treatment for his prostate cancer.

“I thought it would be nice to come and visit. I never thought I’d ever be back here. I wanted to visit the base to see if I could remember anything from when we were stationed here so long ago. The only thing that I can remem-ber being the same is the administration building. Everything else is new,” said Minchak. “And, the NEX back then, sure didn’t look anything like what is here today.”

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individuals who are leaving active duty by retiring or separating. “I assist them by preparing their paperwork prior to them getting off active duty and getting it into the VA system. Then when they get out, their paperwork should be done and all they have to do is submit their DD-214 to the VA and their bene-fits should start on the date of dis-charge. That is the way the system is designed,” explained Sanders. “I also provide information on how the whole VA system works in regards to disability, how percentages are calcu-lated, what the numbers mean, how number of family members relates to these percentages and at what point will these figures work to your advan-tage.”

According to Sanders, there are three magic numbers within the sys-tem. “My magic numbers are 20, 30 and 50. When a service member rates 20 percent, it means they qualify to apply for the vocational rehabilitation program. This retraining program is one of the best in the country and it’s free through the VA. A 30 per-cent rating means family members are considered in the configuration of your monetary compensation. And at 50 percent, the VA will take care of all your medical conditions free of charge. Those are my magic numbers that I look at when I explain to a vet-eran how things can work to their advantage,” Sanders stated.

In the past, fighting for VA benefits was a long, tedious process but with the Benefits Delivered at Discharge (BDD) Program, active duty service members can get everything done before they leave the military. “The BDD Program is for service members who have more than 60 days remain-ing on active duty. This program enables us to get all their paperwork completed and to the VA, have them complete their VA physical and if they are approved any kind of rating, they will automatically receive it once they turn in their DD-214,” said Sanders.

It seems simple, but one big problem puts a glitch in the program. “Many times, the service member waits until the last minute to come and see me. By then, I may not be able to place them in the BDD program. However, all is not lost because the VA also offers the pre-discharge program for members with less than 60 days from

separating and who plan to remain in the state of Florida. The VA will process the claim prior to the mem-ber separating from active duty but they will not have a separation physi-cal from the VA. The member will be required to have a active duty physi-cal to separate,” added Sanders. “The best case scenario would be to get in the BDD program.”

Sanders recommends anyone plan-ning to separate or retire from the military, make an appointment with him no earlier than six months out. He also recommends that everyone should start getting their medical records in order at least a year out. “Military members need to make sure that everything that happens to them while on active duty is documented by medical and is in their record. This is the only proof they have to give to the VA,” he continued.

To begin the VA process, the first step is to email Sanders who will then send an email back requesting some basic information. Once the informa-tion is returned, an appointment is set up and an application is sent out with a list of items required for the appointment. “I specifically request they bring everything needed, because my schedule is extremely booked up and I may not be able to see them again for another month if they don’t have what they need. If they come in with everything, they can be out the door within an hour and we can get their paperwork to the VA faster,” emphasized Sanders. “My job is to take care of the veterans, but they need to be prepared.”

Once all the paperwork is complet-ed, it is sent to the local VA represen-tative and put into the system. After it is reviewed, a company contracted by the VA called QTC Management Inc., coordinates the service member’s VA physical. After the medical evalu-ation is completed and if any benefits are awarded, the service member will receive them once they turn in their DD-214.

Retirees and those who have sepa-rated from the military in the past can also apply for disability benefits or a rate increase through the tradi-tional route and only if their medi-cal conditions can be tied in to their military service. “This means that we must have documentation. I can’t help someone if their condition is not documented in their military medical record. We have to connect the dots,”

said Sanders. “If they have the docu-mentation, I can submit a claim on behalf of the member only if they are not represented by another veteran’s organization. If they are not being represented by some other organiza-tion and allow AMVETS to represent them, I will do whatever I can to help them. My job is all about helping peo-ple, that’s why I love my job.”

For retirees, again the magic num-ber is 50 percent because this num-ber puts you at the head of the line for healthcare benefits and concurrent receipt of pay. When you retire, if you receive any benefits less than 50 per-cent, that figure offsets your retire-ment pay. This means that the money comes out of your pay and the VA adds it back, making it non-taxable. If that figure is more than 50 percent, you will get an additional paycheck and your retirement check stays the same.

One medical condition that great-ly affects military disability is sleep apnea. “If you think you have this, you need to have the sleep study done and get it into your record before you get out. You can’t claim this after you get out. It has be diagnosed on active duty,” stressed Sanders. “Sleep apnea benefits can be up to 50 percent com-pensation. With this condition, it’s bad if you have it, but if it’s diagnosed while on active duty and the VA will take care of it, then it’s good.”

So the bottom line is, if you know you are getting out of the military make sure you have the documenta-tion in your medical record and get the process for VA benefits started early. “The VA is swamped, but like I tell everyone, the VA is on your side. I say that because I am from both sides of the fence, as a disabled veterans and working in the system. I under-stand how it works to the advantage of the veteran,” said Sanders. “I get a lot of people who say they don’t want to rip anyone off and that they don’t owe me this. It’s not about that. You put the uniform on and Uncle Sam has made these benefits avail-able but you have to go out there and get them. What we do is show you how to do that. Everyone is entitled to VA benefits from the Chief of Naval Operations to a seaman recruit. And, the sooner you get started the better.”

Sanders is located in Building 1, Room 225. To make an appointment, email him at David.D.Sanders@navy.mil. For more information, call 542-2834.

MOSQUITOES: Keeping an eye out for increased activity

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lifespan being shorter. Within their lifetime, both adult male and female will feed on nectar and plant fluids, but it is the female seeking a blood meal. Blood provides a protein source for egg development. “Different types of stimulants attract female mosquitoes to bite. The attrac-tions include carbon dioxide and different body odors put off by the body,” stated Delvalle.

After the female mosquito locates a desirable host, she will probe the skin for a blood capillary and then inject a small amount of saliva which contains chemicals. The saliva prevents the host’s blood from clotting. Usually this is the way viruses enter the body of a host. After engorg-ing on blood. the female will find a resting place to digest her meal and develop eggs. She will then fly off and lay them in an aquatic environment.

“We haven’t had any cases of diseases here on base. In fact, until recently we just haven’t had any rain. The mos-quitoes need the water to breed. Mosquitoes haven’t been a problem yet this year, but we are keeping an eye on the traps for any increase in activity,” commented Delvalle.

Most people have only a mild sensitivity to mosquito bites but others can have a severe reaction from the saliva. Typical symptoms may include swelling, redness and irritation. If the bites are scratched they may become infected with bacteria and this can lead to a secondary infection.

One of the most well known viruses is the WNV. This virus has not been detected on base however WNV can cause serious, life-altering and sometimes even fatal side effects. It only takes one mosquito bite to transmit WNV. “Ways to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases include using mosquito repellents with Permethrin and eliminating breeding sites,” stated Turner.

You can also help reduce the number of mosquitoes in outdoor areas by weekly emptying stagnant water from flowerpots, pet food dishes, birdbaths and buckets. This can help reduce the number of places mosquitoes breed and lay their eggs.

For additional information on mosquitoes and the dis-eases they carry, contact Preventive Medicine Division at 542-3500, Ext. 8822.

PhotosbyMC1(AW)MelissaRobertson-LeakeANewJerseytrap isusedtocatchmosquitoesfortestingatNASJax.

NEX: Former employee from ’40s returns for visit

VA: AMVETS in third year helping at NAS Jax

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