JOSEPH JOHNSTON

Department Commander

My theme for this year is “A time for all things” and as such, part of this months article is a celebration since the Department exceeded its’ requirements this year for membership. You may recall that at last years Fall Conference, I spoke to you about membership and recruiting being a “sacred honor” and you have not disappointed me in this regard. I received the congratulatory message from our National Commander, Robert Reynolds this week and again want to thank each and every one of you who helped make this goal possible. Especially do I want to remember the members of the membership committee, Mike Moulton, John Cowan and Howard Brandt and my thanks to all members who helped exceed this goal.

Next, I am asking for your support this year on the Harley’s Heroes kit stops and visits by our MSO vans in Chapter areas. The MSO and Harley kit stops are wonderful opportunities to recruit new members or any at large members who happen to come by that day. There also happen to be great opportunities for the local Chapters to support DAV outreach programs. After all, who knows the local Chapters meeting times, locations and activities better than our members. Further, these assistance visits can significantly help the NSOs with crowd control and sign-in sheets at the serving location. Let me offer my thanks to all of you in advance for your support of these essential services in your geographical area.

This also happens to be the year that the fund raising for the Disabled Veterans’ Life Memorial may be achieved. At the present time approximately 82% of the funds necessary to build this monument has been raised. I am asking each Chapter to flood your local news agencies with information regarding the memorial to obtain support from the general public. I am also challenging each Chapter Commander in the State to make a contribution to this worthy goal. I made my personal contribution this week by logging onto www.avdlm.org and was able to make a safe and secure online donation. Remember, that National DAV has pledged to match your donation this year, up to $3 Million. Here is a sample letter to the editor for your use:

To the Editor:

American holidays celebrate our troops as well as our veterans each year; however, as a veteran myself, I wonder why we are not doing more for our disabled veterans. Our nation, whose freedom stems from the sacrifices made by our troops, does not celebrate and honor our disabled veterans.

There is a way to change this. The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial is a national civic awareness, educational and recognition project that honors disabled American veterans, their families and caregivers in all 50 states. AVDLM reminds the American public as well as our policy makers that we owe a debt of honor to individuals whose lives have been permanently altered in service to our country. We not only have to recognize their sacrifice, but we have to make sure that their needs, and those of their families and caregivers, are met.

The Memorial serves to remind the American public and our lawmakers of the human costs of war, from the Revolutionary War, to present wars, to every future war. Join me today and consider making a contribution to this long overdue memorial to say “thanks” for what disabled veterans have done for us. Visit www.avdlm.org to learn more about the Memorial.

Sincerely,

Your Name (list military credentials here, if applicable)

I was also honored to attend a picnic given by Governor Strickland at his home this month in honor of Ohio Veterans. At the meeting the Governor spoke of the new Department of Veterans Affairs that was established by legislation in Ohio last month. We can expect that the new cabinet level department will serve veterans in Ohio in a superb manner in the future. The Governor had also just signed legislation which allows all active duty military to attend Ohio schools and universities at the “in state resident” rate of tuition. In Governor Strickland’s words—“we are going to make Ohio veteran friendly”. The Governor went on to say that we can expect him to champion further veterans benefits legislation which will make Ohio one of the best states for supporting veterans and their families.

We are now about to attend the National Convention of the DAV and I will give you news next month regarding those important activities. God Bless each and every one of you and God Bess the DAV!!

Joe Johnston

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Nat’l. Hdqrs., DAV (877) 426-2838

NSO Office, Cleveland (216) 522-3507

NSO Office, Cincinnati (513) 684-2676

Washington Office, DAV (202) 554-3501

Cincinnati HSC,

Sheila Clements (513) 475-6443

Dayton HSC, (937) 268-6511

Gene McCorkle Ext. 2962

Wade Park HSC, (216) 791-3800

Walter Dryja Ext. 3395

Chillicothe HSC (740) 773-1141

James Keller Ext. 7916

Columbus Clinic, (614) 257-5487

Michael Hackworth

Brecksville HSC, (440) 526-3030

Don Branford Ext. 7353

Warren Clinic (330) 392-0311

Youngstown Clinic (330) 70-9200

Ext. 105

Veterans Administration 1-800-827-1000

DATES TO REMEMBER

August 1-2, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Darke County Chapter #57, Darke County area.

August 2, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Thorold Heinlen Chapter #100, Galion, Ohio.

Aug. 2, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, John W. Covert Chapter #47, East Liverpool, Ohio.

Aug 7-8-9, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Madison County Chapter #93, London area.

August 9, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Thorold Heinlen Chapter #100, Crestline, Ohio.

August 9, 2008 Forget-Me-Not John W. Covert Chapter #47, Wellsville, Ohio.

August 8-9-10, 2008 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Salem Chapter #122, Salem, Ohio

August 8-9, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Darke County Chapter #57, Greenville area

August 9-12, 2008 DAV National Convention,

Bally’s Hotel, Las Vegas.

August 14-25, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Madison County Chapter #93, Truck Stop, London, Ohio.

August 21-22, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Madison County Chapter #93, West Jefferson and Mt. Sterling areas.

August 23, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Auglaize County Chapter #73, Wapakoneta and St. Marys, Ohio

October 5, 2008 6^th District Meeting, Trumbull County Chapter #11, Warren, Ohio at 2 p.m.

October 2-4, 2008 DAV Auxiliary Fall Conference, Eastgate Holiday Inn, Cincinnati, Ohio.

October 10-12, 2008 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

February 22-25, 2009 DAV Mid-Winter Conference, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA

April 18, 2009 Testimonial Dinner Commander Joseph Johnston, Holiday Inn Eastgate, Cincinnati, Ohio

June 25-28, 2009 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

August 22-25, 2009 DAV National Convention, Sheraton Hotel Denver, Denver, Colorado

Sept. 24 – 26, 2009 DAV Auxiliary Fall Conference, Drawbridge Inn, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.

October 9-11, 2009 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

Feb. 28 – Mar. 3, 2010 DAV Mid-Winter Conference, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA

June 24-27, 2010 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

July 31 – Aug. 3, 2010 DAV National Convention, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia

October 8-10, 2010 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT

Thought for August: Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people try to find ways to get around the laws.

GARY COX, of Marion Chapter 22, signed up Ronald Scheff as a New DAV Member. Keep up the good work Gary.

VA Claims Backlog Update: As of July 5, 2008 there were a total of 637,000 rating and non-rating cases pending of which 23% are over 6 months old. In addition, the VA has 172,000 cases on appeal. The VA now feels they have reached a turning point in its long battle to reduce this huge backlog of benefits claims - after congress passed legislation allow the VA to hire an additional 1,800 disability-claims processors. For the first time in years, the VA is processing more claims than it is receiving.

Some critics, including Senator AKAKA (D-Hawaii), welcome the good news but, are concerned that faster processing may cause more errors on claims, saying “Timeliness cannot take precedence over accuracy”. Processing an initial disability claim takes about 185 days, well above the VA’s goal of 120 days. Getting a handle on incoming claims is very important as the workload will increase due to our aging veteran population of veterans whose health and disabilities worsen with age, plus the influx of new injured and disabled veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. The VA projects it will receive 883,000 claims this year, a 5% increase over 2007. However, VA officials say that, even with the increased volume “We are now completing more claims than we receive”.

Regardless, the claims process is a very complicated one and is not “user friendly” for a veteran to attempt the filing of his claim on his/her own. In spite of the myriad rules and regulations (including privacy act forms required for VA to obtain medical records from private physicians), the VA has just announced that, effective immediately, VA will now process claims received through its on-line application website (VONAPP) at: www.va.gov/onlineapps.htm

For more information about VA benefits, to VA’s website at: www.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000

For CLEVELAND INDIANS FANS: It was recently announced that all Veterans and Active Duty Military will be allowed to purchase one ticket and get a 2^nd ticket free for all Indians Home Games on WEDNESDAY NIGHTS ONLY for the rest of their season. Further info: www.indians.com or call 216-420-4487

1099-N Electronic Postcard filing: This is a reminder that every DAV Chapter, with less than $25,000 gross income, must file the new 1099-N online. Since our accounting period (tax year) is 1 July thru 30 June you have until 15 November 2008 to file. It is realized that some IRS regional centers think DAV operates on the calendar year (1 January – 31 December), and you may encounter difficulties if you call them. I have discussed this matter with our National Inspector General. He tells me that he has provided data to IRS Headquarters notifying them of our 1 July – 30 June tax year policy and was informed that it takes six weeks for all IRS offices to update their files. Regardless, you need to get online and file the 1099-N. Go to: www.irs.gov/eo where you will find forms/frequently asked questions as well as guidelines. Remember, you must have an email address in order to file.

And, as always, keep our troops in your thoughts and your prayers as they fight, like we have fought, to keep America free. Always remember that FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

Payments for Disabled Veterans

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reminding disabled veterans that they have until Oct. 15, 2008 to file claims for economic stimulus payments. Those eligible include people receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for disability, pension, or survivor’s benefits. As many as one in four disabled veterans and retirees have not yet filed a claim for economic stimulus payments. For more information, find your local Taxpayer Assistance Center on the IRS Website under "Contact My Local Office," visit the IRS' Economic Stimulus Payments Information Center, or contact your nearest Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Service Office.

Free SAT-ACT Software for Military Families

For the second year, a group of NFL, NFL Europe, AFL and CFL football players have sponsored several million dollars worth of $199 SAT and ACT test prep programs to every family in the U.S. Military (all branches-active or retired). Specifically, the sponsorship allows any military person (active or retired) to request as many programs as they need for the students in their lives. The Department of Defense has created a secure website to quickly confirm a person's military status. Personnel can access the confirmation and request pages through several military related associations and organizations, including: Military Home Front website for families, offers access to the forms to confirm military status and process the order. Programs ship to domestic U.S. addresses and APO addresses. The sponsorship covers the regular purchase price of $199 and the family pays only the S&H. To learn more about the program and the NFL/CFL players who are providing this offer visit: eknowledge.com.

Court Rules in Favor of Military Widows

A recent federal court ruling voted in favor of restoring an estimated $30 million in death benefits that were wrongly withheld from the surviving spouses of disabled military retirees. The decision in Sharp, et al v. United States, handed down by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims ordered the Department of Defense (DoD) to refund military retiree Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities that were withheld from three widowed spouses who also received veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The court found that the DoD's dollar-for-dollar deduction of DIC payments from SBP benefits was based on a faulty interpretation of federal law.

Judge May Reopen PTSD Case

A federal court judge in San Francisco is considering re-opening a case after demanding that Justice Department attorneys representing the Veterans Administration (VA) explain why an email written by a top VA official who asked staffers to diagnose fewer cases of post traumatic stress disorder was not turned over to defendants who sued the VA over the agency's alleged failure to immediately treat veterans who showed signs of the disease. Two veteran advocacy groups, Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth, sued the VA last year for allegedly failing to provide treatment to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who suffer from PTSD. For more information, visit the Veterans for Common Sense website.

Chemicals Linked to Gulf War Illness

Associated Press March 11, 2008

WASHINGTON - Increasing evidence ties pesticides and other chemicals to some, not all, of the Gulf War illnesses that afflict thousands of veterans of the 1991 war, says an analysis published Monday.

Nearly 30 percent of troops who took part in the brief war have reported symptoms that include fatigue, memory loss, pain and difficulty sleeping. Citing the variety of symptoms, the Institute of Medicine in 2006 declared there is no single Gulf War syndrome, although troops who served in the Persian Gulf were sicker than those who didn't.

Multiple chemical exposures have long been chief suspects. So Dr. Beatrice Golomb of the University of California, San Diego, reviewed 115 studies of neurological symptoms and veterans' exposure to three related chemicals: the anti-nerve gas pyridostigmine bromide, or PB, given to troops at the time; pesticides used aggressively to control sand flies; and the nerve gas sarin.

Those chemicals belong to a family known as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors that work the same way in the body, she wrote Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Among the evidence Golomb cites: Veterans who are genetically less able to clear this type of chemical from their bodies had a higher chance of suffering symptoms, which mirror problems reported by pesticide-exposed agriculture workers.

Website Helps Overseas Voters

Stars and Stripes reports that the Overseas Vote Foundation's website allows Americans living in other countries, including servicemembers and family members, to register to vote. By filling out customized forms for each state and local election, potential voters using the website can print out their registration form, mail it to their appropriate election board, and wait for their ballot. For more information, visit the Overseas Vote Foundation's Website. This is a Nonpartisan Voter Service.

Program Challenges Veterans

Outward Bound Wilderness expeditions include travel to course destinations and an opportunity for physical and mental challenges in beautiful wilderness locations across the country. An open enrollment allows war veterans to sign up for a pre-scheduled course. Customized expeditions also are available to pre-existing groups and can be tailored to fit specific needs. All costs, including travel to the expedition, are paid for by the Military Family Outdoor Initiative Project. For more information, visit the Outward Bound Wilderness website.

House passes bill honoring Disabled Veterans

The House of Representatives has unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) to establish Disabled American Veterans Week. This resolution specifies that one week each year should be established to honor America's heroes and draws attention to the unique challenges faced by disabled veterans. There are currently more than 2.8 million disabled veterans in America and more than 30,000 from combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

H.Con.Res. 336, which passed by a vote of 417-0 is intended to:

§ Recognize the great sacrifices made by disabled veterans and their families.

§ Call on the people of the United States to honor disabled American Veterans and the freedoms for which they sacrificed.

§ Encourage local, State, and national organizations and governmental institutions to participate in the effort to honor the sacrifices of America's disabled veterans. and

§ Support the goals and ideals of Disabled American Veterans Week

OEF/OIF Veterans

Combat veterans are eligible for free medical care from VA for most conditions for five years after they separate from active duty. Other benefits (home loan guarantees, education, training and life insurance) may apply. If you are, or know of an OEF/OIF combat veteran who has not contacted VA to learn about these benefits, contact the nearest VA facility for more information.

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Program Challenges Veterans