VFW NC Post 2972 - Gibsonville

VA News Briefs

Posted at 09:43 AM on Thursday, January 1, 2009 by post2972

VA Ramps Up Job Search for Injured Vets

WASHINGTON – Thirty percent of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are veterans – the second highest ranking among cabinet departments after the Department of Defense -- and nearly 8 percent of VA employees are service-connected disabled veterans.  But the VA intends to increase the number of disabled veterans who obtain employment in its workforce.

"I am proud of this effort," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.  "VA knows the true quality of our men and women, and we should be a leader in employing them."

Peake said all severely injured veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will be contacted by VA's Veterans Employment Coordination Service to determine their interest in -- and qualifications for -- VA jobs.  So far, that office has identified 2,300 severely injured veterans of those wars, of whom 600 expressed interest in VA employment.

Click here to read more

Some Veterans to See Another Travel Reimbursement Increase

WASHINGTON – Service-disabled and low-income veterans who are reimbursed for travel expenses while receiving care at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities will see an increase in their payments beginning January 9. 

A recently passed law allows VA to cut the amount it must withhold from their mileage reimbursement.  The deductible amount will be $3 for each one-way trip and $6 for each round trip -- with a cap per calendar-month of $18, or six one-way trips or three round trips, whichever comes first.  The previous deductible was $7.77 for a one-way trip, and $15.54 for a round trip, with a calendar-month cap of $46.62.

January Grassroots Survey

Posted at 09:31 AM on Thursday, January 1, 2009 by post2972

Last month, we asked, "With the election over, do you think our citizens will become more united?"

A majority of respondents—more than 65% percent—believe that the division of American citizens will continue in the years to come. Many noted, however, that people really need to put their differences aside for the health of the country.

• "America is strong as a people, and it's the people who will bring us back as the guiding light of the world, not the government."
• "These are tough times. We've used times like this to re-unite and get stronger. We're Americans first, as that we're all one."
• "We have to, and leaders in all organizations would best serve the goals of the organization and the country by encouraging everyone to do so."

Click here to see more results

Vets Visits on TV - December 2008

Posted at 08:29 AM on Monday, December 29, 2008 by post2972

VA Reaches 11,000 Survivors for Retroactive Benefit

Posted at 08:01 AM on Monday, December 29, 2008 by post2972

WASHINGTON (Dec. 24, 2008) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has identified nearly 11,000 surviving spouses of deceased veterans who will receive a lump-sum payment before the New Year to correct an error in their VA benefits.  Also documented were more than 73,000 who had been previously paid.  VA officials are still tracking down eligible survivors.

"I am pleased that our task force working to correct this problem has been able to identify this first group this week," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "We understand the difference these funds can make for these surviving spouses, especially during the holiday season."

Payments will be released to these survivors on Dec. 29.  The total value of the payments is about $24 million.

At issue is a 1996 federal law that makes a surviving spouse eligible to receive the veteran's VA compensation or pension benefit for the month of the veteran's death.  VA failed to properly implement that law in all cases.

Most likely to have been affected by this problem are surviving spouses who never applied for VA survivors' benefits following the death of a veteran.  Eligible for the payment are surviving spouses of veterans who died after Dec. 31, 1996.  The Department doesn't have current addresses for many of them, which makes the process of contacting them difficult.

VA has established a special Survivor Call Center (1-800-749-8387) for spouses who believe they may be eligible for this retroactive benefit. The Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Central Standard Time.  Inquiries may also be submitted through the Internet at http://www.vba.va.gov/survivorsbenefit.htm.

Post Provides Funds for Family Christmas Party

Posted at 08:11 AM on Sunday, December 21, 2008 by post2972

As part of a joint effort, The Department of NC, District 10, and VFW Post 2972, provided $600.00 for a Burlington North Carolina National Guard company (Alpha Co. [Intel/Recon], 30th STM Battalion) to have a Family Christmas party that was held in the Burlington NG Armory.  They fed more than 96 people and provided gifts to over 23 kids. District 10 Commander, "Buzz" Griggs, the National Guard Area Coordinator for North Carolina, was the key person for this activity.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

VA Urges Vets to Sign-up for Direct Deposits

Posted at 03:50 PM on Monday, December 15, 2008 by post2972

WASHINGTON (December 15, 2008) -- Every month, 730,000 veterans or survivors look for their compensation, pension checks or educational assistance payments in their mailboxes.  Nearly all receive them, but theft and mail delays cause problems for some veterans, which can be prevented by direct deposits.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is urging those veterans and family members now receiving paper checks to join nearly 3.1 million others whose VA payments are safely deposited electronically.

"VA is teaming up with the Treasury Department in a new campaign to protect government beneficiaries against the theft of funds and of their identities," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "Veterans earned -- and rely on -- the financial support we send them every month.  I urge them to help VA ensure they get those funds reliably and safely by signing up for direct deposit."

Peake cited several easy ways to sign up for direct deposit -- calling VA toll-free at (800) 333-1795 or enrolling online at www.GoDirect.org.  Veterans, and family members who receive VA payments, also can sign up by contacting a VA regional benefits office or their financial institution.  Information about direct deposits will be included in VA's monthly compensation and pension envelopes throughout 2009.

The VA Secretary urged veterans to remember that direct deposits relieve worry about mail delivery being delayed by severe weather or natural disasters.  The deposits also eliminate trips to banks or credit unions to deposit checks, while providing immediate access to money at the same time each month.

VA Announces Enhanced and Expanded Care for N.C. Veterans

Posted at 06:50 AM on Friday, December 12, 2008 by post2972

 

Health Care Centers to Come to Charlotte, Winston-Salem

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a strategic realignment plan today that will enhance and expand access to health care for North Carolina veterans.  Through the creation of new facilities in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, plus improvements to the medical center in Salisbury, veterans will have more options for VA health care.

“Our veterans have earned access to VA’s world-class health care,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “This strategic plan will increase VA’s capacity to care for North Carolina’s veterans, while putting health care closer to where veterans live.”

A major feature of the plan is the creation of new Health Care Centers (HCCs) in Winston-Salem and Charlotte, scheduled to be completed by 2013.  The HCCs will offer veterans primary care and specialty care, including surgical, rehabilitative and mental health services.  Inpatient care will be provided under VA contract at local private-sector hospitals in these areas.  The plan provides that no changes to health care delivery services at the Salisbury VA Medical Center will be made until 2013, nor will there be any staff reductions.

Once the HCCs in Charlotte and Winston-Salem are operational, the Salisbury VA Medical Center will be reviewed for opportunities to enhance its scope of providing health services and to become a center of excellence in both long-term care and mental health care.  Primary care and urgent care services will continue at the site.

 “It’s important VA provides veterans with state-of-the-art health care technologies in contemporary facilities,” added Peake. “As we move forward, this plan will provide enhanced care for our veterans in North Carolina.”

More information on the plan is available on the Internet at http://www.salisbury.va.gov 

BUDDY POPPIES: PANHANDLING? SAY IT AIN'T SO!

Posted at 08:45 PM on Sunday, November 30, 2008 by post2972

(via Dept of Wisconsin)

VFW Launches Campaign to Attract Women Veterans

Posted at 11:34 PM on Monday, November 24, 2008 by post2972

My Vetwork: Calling all Comrades!

Posted at 02:20 PM on Thursday, November 13, 2008 by post2972

VFW is proud to announce a 21st century communications tool designed to reach out to those we serve. VFW invites you to join MyVetwork, which was  launched Veterans Day, is a free online community, created specifically for active-duty military, retired military, veterans, military families and VFW supporters.   

Designed by VFW member John R. Campbell, a former Marine and Vietnam veteran,  MyVetwork facilitates an information exchange with those who share similar experiences and interests.  Connections can run the gamut—from lighthearted and entertaining, to deep and meaningful exchange--bringing our veterans community together in ways simply not possible before.

MyVetwork allows VFW to easily create our own online groups, relevant to our interests and individual skill sets.  It can be used for both social and professional networking, a service not previously available within the veterans’ community. And if you’re interested in mentoring younger veterans, MyVetwork facilitates that, too. 

We are asking you to help populate the community—the more who sign on, the more valuable our exchange will be. Go to  http://www.myvetwork.com  and create your profile, which takes about 3 minutes.  Check out the VFW group.  You are encouraged you to share it throughout your departments and create a subgroup for your own department, post or other special interest groups.

VFW would like strong representation on the site, set to launch this Veterans Day, so please take advantage of this opportunity to revolutionize the way we serve our veterans and stay connected to one another!

If you have any questions or would like assistance creating a group for your Department or Post contact Gloria Montgomery (VFW Communications) at gmontgomery@vfw.org.

Click here to hear John Campbell’s interview on VFW’s The National Defense: http://vfwnationaldefense.blogspot.com/2008_10_26_archive.html

Gloria Montgomery
VFW Communications
816-968-2740
http://www.vfw.org

Enhanced VA Mortgage Options Now Available

Posted at 10:06 AM on Monday, October 27, 2008 by post2972

WASHINGTON (Oct.24) -- Veterans with conventional home loans now have new options for refinancing to a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) guaranteed home loan.  These new options are available as a result of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, which the President signed into law on October 10, 2008.

"These changes will allow VA to assist a substantial number of veterans with subprime mortgages refinance into a safer, more affordable, VA guaranteed loan," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.  "Veterans in financial distress due to high rate subprime mortgages are potentially the greatest beneficiaries."

VA has never guaranteed subprime loans.  However, as a result of the new law VA can now help many more veterans who currently have subprime loans.

The new law makes changes to VA's home loan refinancing program.  Veterans who wish to refinance their subprime or conventional mortgage may now do so for up to 100 percent of the value of the property.  These types of loans were previously limited to 90 percent of the value.

Additionally, Congress raised VA's maximum loan amount for these types of refinancing loans.  Previously, these refinancing loans were capped at $144,000.  With the new legislation, such loans may be made up to $729,750 depending on where the property is located.

Increasing the loan-to-value ratio and raising the maximum loan amount will allow more qualified veterans to refinance through VA, allowing for savings on interest costs or even potentially avoiding foreclosure.

Originally set to expire at the end of this month, VA's authority to guaranty Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) and Hybrid ARMs was also extended under this new law through September 30, 2012.  Unlike conventional ARMs and hybrid ARMs, VA limits interest rate increases on these loans from year to year, as well as over the life of the loans.

Since 1944, when home loan guaranties were offered with the original GI Bill, VA has guaranteed more than 18 million home loans worth over $911 billion.  This year, about 180,000 veterans, active duty servicemembers, and survivors received loans valued at about $36 billion.

For more information, or to obtain help from a VA Loan Specialist, veterans may call VA at 1-877-827-3702 or visit www.homeloans.va.gov

Share with My VFW WebCOM

Posted at 06:38 PM on Sunday, October 19, 2008 by post2972

Sponsorship on the VFW NC WebCOM Network

Posted at 03:54 PM on Thursday, October 9, 2008 by post2972

Purple Heart Vets: Enter Drawing for Free Trip to Vietnam

Posted at 05:28 PM on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 by post2972

If you received a Purple Heart for being wounded in Vietnam, you could be one of 9* lucky vets to win VFW’s “Return to Vietnam” trip.

This in-country tour from April 24-May 7, 2009,will visit Hanoi, Saigon, Chu Lai,Cu Chi,Hue, the DMZ,Hoi An,Marble Mountain and China Beach.

Airfare, accommodations and meals are included. Don’t miss this chance to revisit battle sites and to share your experiences with fellow Vietnam vets.

Entries must be received prior to the drawing on Jan. 15, 2009.Winners will be notified by mail or e-mail in late January. To claim their trip, winners must send a copy of their Purple Heart documentation to VFW National Headquarters by Feb. 15, 2009, and their passport by March 1, 2009. (If you do not have a passport, please apply immediately.)

Note: Previous VFW-sponsored trip-winners to various events are not eligible.

VFW WebCOM Department Toolbar Tour

Posted at 10:36 AM on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 by post2972

What is the VFW WebCOM Department Toolbar?  What does it do?  Click the video below for a tour or click here for a larger version.

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