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Attachments In this Issue: Subject ................................................................ Page Post 43 Wounded Warrior Receives Award From West Haven VA Hospital ................................................. 2 Operation Awareness Resources Fair For Military Families, Educators, and Community Organizations Flyer .............. 3 Operation Awareness Resources Fair For Military Families, Educators, & Community Organizations Press Release ... 4
... 5 Hiring Our Heroes Veterans Event - West Haven American Legion Post 71 ................................................ 6
....... 7CT Vietnam War KIA Remembrance Ceremony .................. 8SFC Micah Welintukonis 60 Mile Walk ................................. 9Mike Del Monaco Sr. Families Award ................................. 10Seal LT. Michael Murphy Movie Premier ............................ 11Disability Claims Initiative Reduces Processing Time ... 12-13The publisher and editor of this Post 43 publication have taken reasonable measures to ensure that material contained in this website is correct. However, the publisher, editor, and Post 43 give no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or the completeness of the material; no reliance should be made by any user on the material. The user should check for con -rizing unit, and the Post reserves the right at any time to make changes, as it deems appropriate.
Publisher: Commander Steve Frank (203) 723-9591 [email protected] Managing Editor: Al Meadows (203) 929-3357 [email protected] Editors: Lauren Cust (203) 733-2596 [email protected] Matt McDonald (860) 966-1575 [email protected]
The CT Heroes on Wheels Program Needs Help
Free Electric Wheelchairs and Scooters
For Veterans & Their Families If Available - And We Deliver
Maj. (Ret.) Betsy WalshAMVETS Post 43 Member
U. S. Army 1977-2000Special Forces Command
Derby/Shelton AMVETS Post 43 Mailing Address: 85 Alma St., Naugatuck, Connecticut 06770-3311
Roger and Diane Geiger repair a donated electric.
Typical Donated Electric Wheelchair
AMVETS Post 43 member, Lauren Cust receives award from the West Haven VA Hospital. See page 2
Feb. 28, 2013
Continued on page 2
Continued on page 2
Do you know of a veteran or a family member of a veteran who is in need of an electric wheelchair or scooter and is not eligible for one through the
Veterans Administration or Social Security Administration? If so ask them to contact Roger Geiger and request a free wheelchair or scooter or other medical equipment. Roger’s
Torrington AMVETS Post 24’s CT Heroes on Wheels Program needs assistance. Volunteers are needed to help pick up and deliver donated medical equipment and/or help in making repairs to the equipment.
veterans assistance programs undertaken by Connecticut AMVETS was started by
Feb. 28, 2013
contact information: home (860) 618-0224 e-mail: [email protected]
Post 43 Wounded Warrior Receives Award From West Haven VA Hospital
CT Heroes On Wheels...Continued from page 1
FREE Electric Wheelchairs... Continued from page 1
Torrington AMVETS Post 24 members deliver a lift chair to a veteran.
Lauren Cust, on left, is presented a VA Connecticut Healthcare System Recognition Award for Out-standing Work with Connecticut Veterans from Joseph Canzanella, the Acting Chief of Volunteer Services of the West Haven VA Hospital. Maj. (Ret.) Betsy Walsh, center, introduced Lauren at the ceremony.
AMVETS Post 43 member Lauren Cust, a wounded warrior from Operation Iraqi Freedom, was presented a VA Connecticut Healthcare System Recognition Award for Outstanding Work with Connecticut Veterans from Joseph Canzanella, the Acting Chief of Volunteer Services at the West Haven Veterans Administration Hospital. The award was presented during the annual Female Veterans Recognition Dinner held at the Four Seasons in Stratford on February 14th.
Some of her numerous volunteer activities mentioned at the award ceremony were:
• Created and volunteered as chairwoman of the statewide Female Veterans Committee
• A major contributor to the organization of a veterans post with the mission of assisting and informing OEF/OIF/GWOT/OND veterans.
• Assist in organizing day trips for homeless veterans under the DAV Local Veterans Assistance
Program. • Contributes to the success
of Operation Gift Cards for our wounded troops.
• Is the Connecticut State Liaison for Canine Battle Buddies
• Volunteers for Wounded Warrior
• Contributing Editor for CT FOB SitRep Bulletins and Newsletters; an electronic publication which assist the Derby/Shelton AMVETS (American Veterans) Post 43 with their mission of “Assisting OEF/OIF/GWOT/OND veterans and their families.
• Consistently goes above and beyond in her duties as a caseworker at the PFC Nicolas A. Madaras House to assist veterans and their families.
For information about the Derby/Shelton AMVETS Post 43 contact Al Meadows (203) 929-3357 [email protected]. For information about the female veterans committee contact lauren Cust (203) 733-2596 [email protected]
Torrington AMVETS Post 24.The CT Heroes on Wheels
Program, which originally started out to be just reconditioning power wheel chairs and scooters and blossomed into various other medical equipment such as beds, regular wheel chairs, walkers, canes, potty and shower chairs through the 30 to 40 hours a week that Roger and his wife Diane invest in this extremely worthwhile program.
Roger’s actual numbers of donated equipment for the past year are:• 42 Regular Wheel Chairs• 4 Transport Chairs• 32 Power Chairs and Scooters Combined• 6 Power Beds• 3 Handicap Ramps (crafted and installed)• 16 Seated Walkers• 9 Regular Walkers• 14 Commodes• 9 Lift Chairs• 6 Crutches
OPERATION: AWARENESS Resource Fair!
Military families, educators, and
community organizations are
invited to see what resources are available
for military kids and families in Connecticut.
March 13, 2013 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Armed Forces Reserve Center 375 Smith Street Middletown, CT 06457
Together, we can make a difference!
Sponsored by CT Operation: Military Kids
The University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director of Office of Civil Rights, Room 326, W. Whitten Building, Stop Code 9410, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250-9410. Or call 202-720-5964.
For more information, contact Lisa Marcinkowski at [email protected] or (860)885-6106.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lisa Marcinkowski Program Coordinator for Connecticut Operation: Military Kids University of Connecticut New London County Extension Center 562 New London Turnpike Norwich, CT 06360 860-885-6106 [email protected]
Operation: Awareness Resource Fair (Norwich, Connecticut – February 21, 2013) Connecticut Operation: Military Kids and our military and civilian partners would like to invite you to the Operation: Awareness Resource Fair on Wednesday, March 13 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm at the Armed Forces Reserve Center, 375 Smith Street, Middletown, CT. This fair is intended to share information about programs and resources for military families and military youth in the state of Connecticut. All military families (Active Duty, Veteran, Guard and Reserve) as well as educators and community organizations that serve military youth are invited to come and enjoy the activities. It’s fun and free! Some of the exhibitors include:
• CT Operation: Military Kids – make a cool button with our button maker! • Channel 3 Kids Camp – learn about camps for military kids! • Safe Kids Connecticut – try out their 9-1-1 simulator! • CT National Guard Family and Youth Programs – sign up for their fun family and youth
programs! • Military OneSource – learn everything about everything on their website! • Child and Youth Behavior Military Family Life Consultant – find out what counseling
services are available to military youth. • 4-H Military Club – check out their cool programs like robotics clubs and science
activities. • Tri-Care – don’t understand your benefits? Come ask questions. • Vet Centers – learn how they can help with reintegration.
Plus, many more exhibitors and activities! For more information contact Lisa Marcinkowski, Program Coordinator for Connecticut Operation: Military Kids, 860-885-6106 or [email protected]. To learn more about Operation: Military Kids go to www.operationmilitarykids.org.
# # #
Sponsored by State Senator Len Fasano, State Representative David Yaccarino,
and the Knights of Columbus Council 3733
Saturday • March 9, 2013 1:00 – 5:00 pm
J. Roos Restaurant 249 State Street • North Haven, CT
$25 Donation Food and Entertainment will be provided
All Proceeds go to the Fisher House.For more information, please call Chris Diorio at 1-800-842-1421 or e-mail at [email protected]
Fisher House Benefit
Helping Military Families
WWW.HIRINGOURHEROES.ORG is the official online partner for Hiring Our Heroes ⏐ Find Hiring Our Heroes online:
2013 Hiring Our Heroes Veterans Event – West Haven, CT American Legion Post #71
337 Main Street West Haven, CT March 7, 2013
Join us March 7, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for a job fair for veteran job seekers, active duty military, members of the National Guard and reserve components, and military spouses at American Legion Post #71, 337 West Main Street, West Haven, CT, 06516.
This American Legion-sponsored hiring event is being conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Hamden Chamber of Commerce, the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS), Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, NBC News, and other local partners.
For registration questions, please contact us at [email protected] or call 202-463-5807.
EMPLOYERS Must register for FREE at HOH.Greatjob.net
JOB SEEKERS Register for FREE at HOH.Greatjob.net
to guarantee admission. Walk-‐ins welcome but space not guaranteed.
Benefit Dinner for Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Saturday, March 9, 2013
Please join us for an unforgettable dinner. The proceeds of this event will assist in the costs of providing annual ceremonies that are defined as
“TO COMMEMORATE AND HONOR THE RETURN HOME OF MEMBERS OF
THE ARMED FORCES WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM”, by Connecticut Public Act 10-‐40, signed on MAY 18, 2010.
Wood Winds by Chef Silvio CHOICE OF ENTRÉE:
Branford, Connecticut CHICKEN MARSALA: $55.00 PRIME RIB OF BEEF 29 School Ground Rd STUFFED FILET OF SOLE: $55.00 w/ AU JUS: 6:00pm – 10:00pm VEGETARIAN LASAGNA: $55.00 $65.00
Dinner Details
Please go to our website and see more details on the location, menu and volunteers that are bringing this special event to you. Click and purchase your ticket online before they sell out! http://www.ctwhvvd.com/ctwhvvd.com/Fundraiser_Dinner.html Cocktail Hour 6:00pm – 7:00pm Dinner served promptly at 7:30pm Finale at 10:00pm
* For more info or donation questions please email [email protected]
Speakers and Guest/Celebrity Appearances:
Steve Kreider Emily Audibert Heidi Voight CT-WHVVD Chairman Miss CT 2012 Miss CT 2006
Soldier Hard Vet Hunters Project REDCON 1 Music Group South El Monte, CA Advocates for Homeless Heroes
Proceeds raised from the dinner support the
2013 Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran’s Day Celebration Event Guilford Fair Grounds Guilford, CT April 21, 2013
REMEMBRANCE OF THE FALLEN “That the generations to come might know them.”
Let us honor and remember the 613 Connecticut men who were killed in action during the Vietnam War. What: The reading of names of the 613 Connecticut
men who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country When: Saturday, March 30, 2013 – 1:00 pm
“Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” Where: Minuteman Park Located in front of the Governor
William A. O’Neill Armory 360 Broad Street Hartford, CT Following the ceremony, light refreshments will be served in the Officers’ Club inside the Armory.
Sponsored by:
Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veterans History Project at Central Connecticut State University
Vietnam Veterans of America – CT State Council Association of the United States Army
SFC Micah Welintukonis 60 Mile Walk
My name is SFC Micah Welintukonis, I was severely injured on 9 July 2012 in Afghanistan. I am acting as a private citizen and a 3 combat tour, combat wounded veteran. On 9, 10, 11, and/or 12 July 2013 I plan on conducting a 60 mile walk.
This walk is intended to do the following: Raise money for each VFW that I stop at, and/ or participating VFW's. This money will support the VFW which works on behalf of American veterans by lobbying Con-gress for better veterans' health care and benefits. The VFW also maintains a nationwide organization of employees and volunteers to assist veterans with their VA disability claims. The VFW also donates much money and lots of hours for work for the city. One of their most popular programs provides free phone calls to overseas active military members.
Raise money for each American Legion that I stop at, and or participating Legions. This money will sup-port the American Legion which was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veter-ans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organi-zation, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advo-cating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation's veterans community, backed by resolu-tions passed by volunteer leadership.Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Heroes to Hometowns program connects local Legionnaires with recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing a variety of support activities. The Legion raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families and to provide college scholarship opportunities.
Raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. This money will support The Wounded Warrior Project which is a nonprofit organization whose stated mission is to "honor and empower wounded warriors" of the United States Armed Forces. "The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) works to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.
This walk is also intended to raise awareness of all three veteran organizations, bolster membership, and support the organizations continuation to survive, and serve. I am currently an active member of all 3.
In addition, this 60 mile journey will commemorate my one year anniversary when I was hit with gunfire and shrapnel. It will hopefully set an example for other vets: That no matter what the circumstances are, we can, and will soldier on.
My walk, and whom ever joins me will stop at every VFW and Legion. It will start at the VFW in Willimantic CT, then to the Legion in Coventry, and Vernon/Rockville. It will continue to both posts in Manchester, East Hartford, Hartford, West Hartford, and end in Farmington.
I call upon you, to help spread the word amongst posts. I am in the process of setting up a website for this event, and other items.
I can be reached [email protected] or cell 860-682-0233
Thank you for your time,God BlessVery RespectivelyMicah Welintukonis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 31, 2013
Disability Claims Initiative Reduces Processing Time, Adds Convenience Medical Records Review Can Eliminate In-Person Exam Requirement
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new initiative that
could eliminate the requirement for an in-person medical examination for some Veterans and shorten the time it takes to process Veterans’ disability compensation claims.
The initiative is called Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE). This initiative was developed by both the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) in a joint effort to provide a Veteran-centric approach for disability examinations. Use of the ACE process opens the possibility of doing assessments without an in-person examination when there is sufficient information in the record.
Under ACE practices, a VA medical provider completes a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) by reviewing existing medical evidence. This evidence can be supplemented with information obtained during a telephone interview with the Veteran – alleviating the need for some Veterans to report for an in-person examination.
“ACE is a process improvement that will help us meet our goal to eliminate the claims backlog and provide more timely benefits to our Veterans, their families and survivors,” said Undersecretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey. “The initiative also saves Veterans the inconvenience and costs associated with attending a medical examination.”
When a VA medical provider determines VA records already contain sufficient medical information to provide the needed documentation for disability rating purposes, the requirement for Veterans to travel to a medical facility for an examination may be eliminated.
If VA can complete a DBQ by reviewing medical records already on file, it will use the ACE process. This would then expedite the determination of disability ratings – in turn eliminating the wait time to schedule and conduct an exam from the claims process.
During a 15-month pilot test at one VA regional claims processing office, 38 percent of claims submitted were eligible for ACE.
The ACE initiative is a part of the VBA’s agency-wide Transformation Plan – a five-year, multifaceted organizational change that is based on more than 40 personnel, process and technology initiatives designed to improve claims processing. The goal of the Transformation
Plan is to eliminate the claims backlog and process all claims within 125 days with 98 percent accuracy in 2015.
To learn more about VBA Transformation Initiatives, visit: http://benefits.va.gov/transformation/.
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