BENEFITS
The Vietnam Veterans of America, Liberty Bell Chapter 266 provides links to non-profit organizations that our Veterans may find of interest. The determination of whether to establish a link to a private organization's website is made on a case by case basis by the Website Committee.
SPRAYING IN VIETNAM WITH JUST A MASK ON

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The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA)has founded a national suicide prevention hotline to ensure veterans in emotional crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. To operate the Veterans Hotline, the VA partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans can call the Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and press "1" to be routed to the Veterans Hotline.
Click card below for printable version
click above
click above for website
Non-profit organization that helps all
Veterans.
Through the leadership of Brigadier General Michael Gould,
many Veterans have been in their plight.
As many of you know PA Veteran
Emergency Funds follow strict guidelines and many Veterans do not qualify,
however the Pennsylvania Veterans Foundation looks at the issues the Veteran is
experiencing.
This is a worthwhile and valuable foundation that through
County/City Veteran offices are able to support Veterans in hard times.
NAVY SHIPS THAT WERE ACTIVE IN VIETNAM
JUNE IS PTSD MONTH
VA's Agent Orange Registry health exam alerts Veterans to possible long-term health problems that may be related to Agent Orange exposure during their military service. The registry data helps VA understand and respond to these health problems more effectively.
Contact your local VA Environmental Health Coordinator
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp
about getting an Agent Orange Registry health exam.
About the Agent Orange Registry health exam
This comprehensive health exam includes an exposure and medical history, laboratory tests, and a physical exam. A VA health professional will discuss the results face-to-face with the Veteran and in a follow-up letter.
Important points about registry health exams:
- Free to eligible Veterans and no co-payment
- Not a disability compensation exam or required for other VA benefits
- Enrollment in VA’s health care system not necessary
- Based on Veterans’ recollection of service, not on their military records
- Will not confirm exposure to Agent Orange
- Veterans can receive additional registry exams, if new problems develop
- Veterans' family members are not eligible for an Agent Orange Registry health exam
Alan B. Oates gives an audience of veterans and veteran supporters in Silver Spring, Maryland, a look at where the legacy of Agent Orange stands today and what it may still bring to future generations that will be affected by it.
Click on logo picture above to view the video
Volunteer opportunity for Veterans
Mentors Needed
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TAKE YOUR DD-214 TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE
WHEN YOU APPLY FOR YOUR RETIREMENT BENEFITS
Since 1957, if you had military service earnings for active duty (including active duty for training), you paid Social Security taxes on those earnings. Since 1988, inactive duty service in the Armed Forces reserves (such as weekend drills) has also been covered by Social Security.
Under certain circumstances, special extra earnings for your military service from 1957 through 2001 can be credited to your record for Social Security purposes. These extra earnings credits may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social Security benefit.
Special extra earnings credits are granted for periods of active duty or active duty for training. Special extra earnings credits are not granted for inactive duty training.
If your active military service occurred
- From 1957 through 1967, we will add the extra credits to your record when you apply for Social Security benefits.
- From 1968 through 2001, you do not need to do anything to receive these extra credits. The credits were automatically added to your record.
- After 2001, there are no special extra earnings credits for military service.
VA MEDICAL CENTER
Click below for website
5/5/2010
For information on the
WASHINGTON CROSSING NATIONAL CEMETERY
click below
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors
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IT'S OFFICIAL
DD-214's are NOW Online
National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following website
for veterans to gain access to their DD-214's online:
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This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of his
DD-214 for employment purposes. NPRC is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files. Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents. Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180, which can be downloaded from the online web site. Because the requester will be asked to supply all information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays that normally occur when NPRC has to ask veterans for additional information will be minimized. The new web-based application was designed to provide better service on these requests by eliminating the records centers mailroom and processing time
CALL FOR PHOTOS
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is very excited about our National Call for Photos. They are gathering photos of the 58,261 people whose names are on The Wall for the Education Center. The Education Center is an underground learning facility being built on the National Mall. It will tell the stories of the people we lost in Vietnam and pay tribute to all who served in all of America's wars.
There has been a lot of news coverage about the Call for Photos launch, which is vital to helping get the word out.
click logo for website
and how you may submit any photos that you may have.
Thanks for your help!
Locating Veterans Gravesites
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today that the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made the gravesites of more than 6.7 million Veterans
easier to locate using handheld devices with Internet capability, such as "smart phones."
Click logo for to be taken to their website
The VetAssist program is sponsored by The American Veterans Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of veterans and preserving their individual histories. The information on this site, and the services of the VetAssist staff are free. Please use this site as a tool for educating yourself on the Improved Pension program and your eligibility for it. You should also contact your County Veterans Services Officer (VSO), the VA, or a VSO through one of the national Veterans organizations, such as the VFW, American Legion, etc. for help filing the appropriate forms.
National Resource Directory
The National Resource Directory (NRD) is an online tool for wounded, ill and injured Service Members, Veterans, their families, and those who support them. The NRD provides access to more than 11,000 services and resources at the national, state and local levels that support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration.

For more information call your local Veterans Center
Philadelphia Center phone number 215-627-0238
Click logo below for
U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs
is the first unique web site dedicated to helping U.S. veterans discover benefits they have earned.
Complete details about service-connected compensation issues, and important updates as they occur.
Also, services that help veterans and their families.
Click banner for
You must register for this site – but it is totally free and an extremely good military information site.
Miliary.com informs you of all the benefits of service — government benefits, scholarships, discounts, headline news, etc. It also includes stories of military life or missions, and much more. They believe that the benefits earned in the service should be easier to access and written in easy to explain terms. They are all about helping members make the most of military experience throughout life. One feature of this site is the amazing “Shock and Awe” videos.
Defense Centers of Excellence leads a collaborative effort toward optimizing psychological health and traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment for the Department of Defense (DoD). The DCoE establishes quality standards for: clinical care; education and training; prevention; patient, family and community outreach; and program excellence. DCoE Mission To maximize opportunities for warriors and families to thrive through a collaborative global network promoting resilience, recovery, and reintegration for PH and TBI. |