Each one of the nearly 300 soldiers who walked into the hotel banquet hall to cheers, salutes and more than a few high-fives had a family Thanksgiving that they were missing.

Army National Guard Sgt. Shawn Duncan's mom was cooking a 22-pound turkey and all the trimmings -- sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, corn bread stuffing, squash and turnips -- in her kitchen back home in Rhode Island. Duncan could almost taste the home-baked apple, pumpkin and sweet potato pies.

Army Reservist Gavin Reshkus' parents and five younger brothers and sisters were watching football and playing board games in Illinois.

Army Reserve Spc. Jacqueline Lewis' husband was cooking dinner just as he does every Thanksgiving and Christmas at their house in Columbus, Ohio.

Because the soldiers couldn't be home for the holiday, some South Jersey residents brought a little bit of home to them by hosting a three-hour Thanksgiving feast Thursday at America's Best Value Inn Ballroom on Route 70.

"This is a day when we become your family," said Eric Spevak, a Haddonfield-based attorney who's organized the event for four years. This year's dinner was sponsored by the Adinolf and Spevak law firm, Cherry Hill Township and the Jewish War Veterans Post No. 126 of Cherry Hill.

"We love our country and we love you and we sincerely appreciate everything you do," Spevak said.

The soldiers, who were from units based in Illinois and Rhode Island, have been training at Fort Dix in preparation for deployment to Iraq, where many will serve for a year. Some are scheduled to leave in as little as three weeks.

On Thursday morning, the troops boarded buses at Fort Dix, believing they were simply going to a restaurant. When they arrived in Cherry Hill, however, police officers saluted them from intersections as they rode by and a large group of local residents gathered in a line leading to the banquet hall's entrance to cheer for them as if they were superstar athletes.

Inside the hall, which was decorated with red, white and blue balloons, they were treated to turkey, potatoes, a vegetable medley, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and a mango and cream dessert.

Philadelphia Eagles players Jon Runyan and Reggie Brown and former Eagles Vince Papale and Garry Cobb were there to show their support and help with a sports trivia game.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from the people in Jersey," said Lewis, who grew up in Newark. "I got a little choked up."

An Army reservist for 11 years, Lewis said she's never been deployed overseas. She'll be assigned to prison duty once she gets to Iraq.

"I'm kind of anxious, but I'm looking forward to it, too, because this is what I want to do," Pfc. Douglas Micke of the Army National Guard said. "I can't wait to get started."

The 24-year-old Rhode Island native has been training at Fort Dix for 2 1/2 months and anticipates leaving for Iraq in about three weeks. He called his family from the ballroom's parking lot to tell them about the surprise feast.

"We didn't expect any of this," Micke said.

"When the police officers were saluting us, that was nice."

Duncan, 40, called her family, too, to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving.

"They say they miss me, but they say they support me and are behind me 100 percent," she said.

Her husband is a recruiter for the Army National Guard and her 23-year-old daughter, Angel Russell, joined the Guard and is in basic training, Duncan said.

"This is something I always wanted to do," said Duncan, who enlisted five years ago. "I want to serve my country."

She couldn't sign up before because she was a single mother raising two daughters. Now, with deployment to Iraq only weeks away, Duncan said she was ready.

"I don't question where I'm going. I'm here to serve my country," she said.

Reach Lisa Grzyboski at (856) 486-2931 or lgrzyboski@courierpostonline.com

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The law provides a grant not to exceed $5,500 for certain disabled veterans toward the purchase of an automobile. If a veteran received this grant when the amount was lower, he cannot use the difference toward the purchase of another automobile. A veteran with a qualifying service-connected disability or disabilities may receive only one VA automobile grant.

         There is no limit to the number of times VA can furnish specially adapted equipment for a veteran's automobile. For qualifying veterans, VA will pay for the purchase, repair, replacement, or reinstallation of adaptive equipment needed for the safe operation of a vehicle.

         A veteran does not have to be rated 100% in order to be eligible for an automobile grant. If he or she has lost the use of a limb and that injury is service-connected, he or she meets the eligibility requirements.

         Divorce terminates all eligible for a spouse to receive any part of a veterans disability compensation when it becomes final.

         Under the improved pension plan all other VA compensation and/or pensions are counted as income. The VA will not accept an election of improved pension unless it is to your advantage.

         The VA audits the periodic guardianship accountings that are required by the Probate Court. If discrepancies are discovered, the Probate Court is notified and asked to take corrective action. The welfare and needs of disabled veterans under guardianship are monitored by VA Field Examiners who make periodic visits with these veterans. Unattended needs or adverse conditions are reported to the guardian or, if necessary to the Probate Court for required action.

         If a veteran dies in a VA hospital, for confidentiality reasons the VA does not put a death notice or obituary in the local newspaper or newspaper from where the veteran lived. Such notices are at the discretion of the veteran's family or guardian and are handled either by the funeral home with the family's guidance, or by the family itself.

VA FLAG-FOLDING RECITATION BAN:  Complaints about religious content have led to a ban on flag-folding recitations by Veterans Administration employees and volunteers at all 125 national cemeteries. It all started because of one complaint about the ceremony at Riverside National Cemetery in California . During thousands of military burials, the volunteers have folded the American flag 13 times and recited the significance of every fold to survivors. For example, the 12th fold glorifies "God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost." The complaint revolved around the narration in the 11th fold, which celebrates Jewish war veterans and "glorifies the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." The National Cemetery Administration decided to ban the entire recital at all national cemeteries. Details of the complaint weren't disclosed. VA spoke sman Mike Nacincik said the new policy outlined in a 27 SEP memorandum is aimed at creating uniform services throughout the military graveyard system. He said the 13-fold recital is not part of the U.S. Flag Code and is not government-approved.

VA FLAG-FOLDING RECITATION BAN UPDATE 01:  To ensure burial services at the 125 national cemeteries operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reflect the wishes of veterans and their families, VA officials have clarified the Department’s policy about recitations made while the U.S. flag is folded at the gravesite of a veteran. “Honoring the burial wishes of veterans is one of the highest commitments for the men and women of VA,” said William F. Tuerk, VA’s Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs.  “A family may request the recitation of words to accompany the meaningful presentation of the American flag as we honor the dedication and sacrifice of their loved ones.” Traditional gravesite military funeral honors include the silent folding and presentation of an American flag, a 21-gun rifle salute, and the playing of “Taps.” The clarification includes the following:

         Volunteer honor guards are authorized to read the so-called “13-fold” flag recitation or any comparable script;

         Survivors of the deceased need to provide material and request it be read by the volunteer honor guards; and

         Volunteer honor guards will accept requests for recitations that reflect any or no religious traditions, on an equal basis.

Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable, their spouses and eligible dependent children can be buried in a national cemetery.  Other burial benefits available for all eligible veterans, regardless of whether they are buried in a national cemetery or a private cemetery, include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate and a government headstone or marker. [Source: VA News Release 30 Oct 07 ++]

VA FLU SHOTS UPDATE 01:  To safeguard the health of America ’s veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is urging all veterans, especially those enrolled in VA’s health care system, to receive flu vaccinations this season. Walk-in clinics, even drive-in clinics for the vaccinations— which are free for veterans enrolled in VA’s health care system—are being offered at many of VA’s 153 hospitals and more than 900 outpatient clinics.  Veterans should check with their nearest VA health care facility to learn about local vaccination programs. “Vaccination is a simple way of preventing serious health care problems, especially among the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and veterans with spinal cord injuries,” said Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield.  “Part of VA’s health care service is ensuring veterans get their flu shots.” Veterans should discuss flu vaccinations with their primary health care provider.  Physicians recommend flu vaccinations for pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions, those at least 50 years of age, patients in long-term care facilities, and people who live with those at high risk for complications from flu. A recent study by Dr. Kristin Nichol, a nationally recognized expert on the flu and chief of medicine at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, found dramatic reductions in deaths and sickness after getting a flu shot.  Vaccination reduced hospitalizations for pneumonia or influenza by 27%, and there was a 48% reduction in deaths. In addition to information about flu vaccines available in VA’s medical centers and clinics, VA maintains information for consumers on its Web site at: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/flu/.  [Source:  VA Media Relations 25 Oct 07 ++]

TRICARE FLU IMMUNIZATION:  Fall is the best time to get the flu vaccination in the United States , according to health officials.  This gives the body a chance to build up immunity before the winter flu season. “Tricare beneficiaries should check with their local military treatment facility or primary care manager to find out when and where they are offering the flu vaccine,” said Army Major General Elder Granger, Deputy Director, Tricare Management Activity (TMA).  “All beneficiaries are encouraged to protect themselves against this potentially deadly virus.” Influenza kills about 36,000 Americans each year, and leads to about 200,000 hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is strongly recommended that the following people get vaccinated each year:  all children aged six months to their fifth birthday; adults aged 50 years and older; persons with underlying chronic medical conditions; pregnant women; health care workers involved in direct patient care; child care and elderly care workers; and persons at high risk for severe complications from influenza. Tricare will cover the Flu shots administered in a civilian pharmacy or drugstore are not covered by Tricare.  For Tricare for Life beneficiaries, Medicare covers flu vaccinations and Tricare would pay as second payer, if needed. Tricare covers two types of vaccinations; the inactivated vaccine containing a killed virus and given with a needle, and the nasal-spray flu vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. For more information about influenza refer to www.cdc.gov/flu/ . For more information about your Tricare benefits refer to www.Tricare.mil.  [Source: TMA Press Release 07-76 dtd 25 Oct 07 ++]

VA SECRETARY UPDATE 04: President Bush on 30 OCT nominated retired Army Lt. Gen. James Peake to direct the embattled Department of Veterans Affairs, which is strained by the influx of wounded troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan . "He will work tirelessly to eliminate backlogs and ensure that our veterans receive the benefits they need to lead lives of dignity and purpose," Bush said. Peake, 63, is a physician who spent 40 years in military medicine and was decorated for his service in Vietnam . He retired from the Army in 2004 after being lead commander in several medical posts, including four years as the U.S. Army surgeon general. The nomination comes as the administration and Congress struggle to find clear answers to some of the worst problems afflicting wounded warriors, such as adequate mental health treatment and timely payment of disability benef its.

     Peake currently is chief medical director and chief operating officer of QTC Management Inc., which provides government-outsourced occupational health, injury and disability examination services. If confirmed by the Senate, Peake would lead the government's second-largest agency with 235,000 employees in the waning months of the Bush administration. In his new post, Peake, the son of a medical services officer and Army nurse, would manage the VA, criticized for poor coordination in providing medical treatment and disability benefits to millions of veterans. Earlier this year, a presidential commission chaired by former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan., and Donna Shalala, former Health and Human Services Secretary during the Clinton administration, proposed sweeping change that could add to the VA's backlogged system by shifting most of the responsibility in awarding disability benefits from the Pentagon to the VA. The VA's backlog is between 400,000 and 600,000 claims, with delays of 177 days.  Former Secretary Nicholson in May pledged to cut that time to 145 days, but little headway has been made with thousands of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan returning home. "There is a lot of work to be done as we move forward on implementing the Dole-Shalala commission recommendations," Peake said. "The disability system is largely a 1945 product, 1945 processes around a 1945 family unit. About everybody that has studied it recently said it is time to do some revisions." Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said Peake will have to prove he is up to the task of improving the beleaguered veterans care system.

GRAYHOUND DISCOUNTS:

Military Discount:  Active duty and retired military personnel and their dependent family members may receive a 10% discount off the Greyhound walk-up (unrestricted) fare. Another option for military personnel is to travel on Greyhound for a maximum fare of $198 round trip anywhere in the continental United States .  The following restrictions apply:

1. Fares are valid on Greyhound schedules and those of participating interline carriers. Not available on Greyhound Canada routes.
2. This fare applies only to active and retired members of the United States Armed Forces, which includes the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy; members of the National Guard, reservists and bonafide identifiable spouses and dependents of the above. A valid military picture identification card must be presented upon request.
3. A 40% discount for children of military personnel referenced above is available. Discount not available with $198 maximum military fare. No other discounts apply.
4. Only totally unused tickets may be refunded to the location of the original purchase. A 15% penalty fee applies upon refund. No refund will be allowed if any portion of the ticket has been used.
5. Departure date and time may be changed for a charge of $10 per ticket provided that the advance purchase requirement is not violated.
6. Advance purchase tickets purchased over the phone require a minimum of ten days for delivery by mail and for online orders.
7. Casino, commuter, Discovery Pass , student or other special military fares do not qualify for the military discount.
8. Fares are subject to change until purchase and may be higher during peak holiday travel periods.
9. Ten-percent discount may not be used in conjunction with the $198 maximum fare.

Veterans Discount: With the Veterans Advantage Discount Card, members can save 15% on walk-up fares at the terminal or online. Veterans Advantage is available for U.S. Military Veterans, active duty, National Guard & Reservists, and their family members. Membership is good for discounts on travel, dining, entertainment, clothing, and many more services and products. To become a member and get this discount, apply online at the Veterans Advantage Web site, or call 1(866) 838-7392. A Veterans Advantage 30-day free trial offer is currently available for Greyhound riders to thank you for your service. Full memberships are available for as low as $59.95 for one year, plus $4.95 to process enrollment.

VA Patient Discount:  A 25% discount on applicable one-way fares also is available to patients of U.S. Veterans Administration Hospitals, patie nts assigned by the U.S. Veterans Administration to Army, Navy, Air Force, or military hospitals, or patients assigned by the U.S. Veterans Administration to civil and state institutions when traveling at their own expense.  To qualify, the patient must present a completed original Veterans Administration Request for Reduced Rate Transportation Form (VA-Form 3068) to the ticket agent at time of purchase. No copies, facsimiles, or other forms will be accepted for this discount.

[Source:  Military.com 18 Oct 07 ++]

VETERAN NEWS

ARMY COMBAT ACTION BADGE: The Army Combat Action Badge (CAB) may be awarded to any soldier performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized; must have engaged the enemy; and must not be assigned/attached to a unit that would qualify the soldier for the CIB/CMB. Award of the CAB is authorized from 18 SEP 01 to a date to be determined. Retroactive awards for the CAB are not presently authorized. Second and third awards of the CAB for subsequent qualifying periods are indicated by superimposing one and two stars respectively, centered at the top of the badge between the points of the oak wreath. To expand retroactive eligibility of the Army CAB to include members of the Army who participated in combat during which they personally engaged, or were personally engaged by, the enemy at any time on or after 7 DEC 41, H.R.2267 was introduced by Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) on 10 MAY 07. The bill would authorize the Secretary of the Army t o
make arrangements with suppliers of the Army Combat Action Badge so that eligible recipients of the Army Combat Action Badge may procure the badge directly from suppliers, thereby eliminating or at least substantially reducing administrative costs for the Army. This bill has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel and will most likely die in committee unless enough veterans contact their legislators and convince them to bring the bill to the house floor for a vote. Although the bill would cost the government only a minimal amount since veterans would be authorized to purchase their own badges it does not seem to be getting much attention by the subcommittee. This could be because the Army is not in favor due to what they claim would be problems verifying who was eligible. They also cite funding. Veterans are encouraged to contact their legislators and convince them to aid in getting this bill out of committee. [Source: Various Oct 07 ++]

By Cinnamon Stillwell
FrontPageMagazine.com | Friday, September 28, 2007