FROM THE DESK OF COMMANDER

DAVID MAY

Do you know the location of your DD214? Your answer is very important. Please take the advice of older veterans and record your DD214 with your County Recorder’s Office. Then let your spouse or next-of-kin know where your DD214 is. FYI: If you’ve misplaced your DD214, sometimes, the local County Veterans Service Commission office may have a copy in their files.

The Ohio Revised Code (Sec. 317.24) allows you to safeguard your DD214 by filing at your county recorder’s office at no cost to you.

DD214 forms are used to document military service in a number of cases including the following: VA Healthcare Services, VA Home Loans, Student Loans, Identification and VA Burial Benefits. If you’ve recorded your DD214 in the County Recorder’s office it will always be there for you when you need a certified copy.

If your DD214 is not recorded with the County, there will be a chance of unfortunate circumstances: such as fire, when you can’t remember where you placed it, when you were young you lost it during a move, or if your dog chewed it up when the Browns won. Don’t be challenged in unneeded delays while you’re requesting a new certified DD214.

FYI: Effective April 7, 2009 with the passage of Ohio S.B. 248, veterans’ discharge records are no longer considered public record. Therefore, only “Authorized Parties” are allowed to view or receive a copy of any DD214. Authorized Party is defined as follows: 1) The person who is the subject of the record of discharge; 2) A county veterans service officer, or attorney-in-fact, agent or other representative of the person who is subject of the record of discharge, if authorized to inspect or copy the record of discharge by that person in a power of attorney or other document; 3) A person authorized, for good cause shown, by a court of record to inspect or copy the record of discharge; 4) If the person who is subject of the record of discharge is deceased, the executor or administrator, or an heir, legatee, or devisee, of the person’s estate or a funeral director who is to perform the funeral for the deceased person.

If such person is not authorized, only edited copies containing name, rank, date of birth, date of discharge and type of discharge will be provided. ORC 317.24 also states that the county recorder shall furnish to any authorized party one certified copy of the DD214. You may be charged for additional copies so please contact your County Recorder’s Office. Look in the Blue Pages of your local phone book under “County Government.”

In accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 317.24 (2)(a) any veterans’ discharge records recorded within the past 75 years is not considered a public record. Therefore, any document that has been on record for 75 years or more, before the date of request, does not apply to any redaction law.

As a chapter officer please consider checking with all your members to see if they need assistance to record their DD214.

OEF/OIF veterans please take time and record your DD214. Start networking with your local DAV chapter and their service officer. Ask a WWII, Korean, or Viet Nam veteran about Title 38. They’ll tell you there have been many, many changes over the past few years. Network and stay up-to-date on the benefits you’ve earned.

Parade of Checks

DAV DEPT OF OHIO HOSPITAL FUND

Service to Vets

DAV “TEAM OHIO”

I would like to recognize and thank the following Chapters who participated in our Fall Conference Parade of Checks. Thank you for the service you have provided for our veterans in the State of Ohio. Chapters: 3, 11, 20, 43, 47, 50, 54, 57, 71, 89, and 100.

ELECTION DAY (Make it your Mission to Vote, November 2)

Election Day is the day set aside for you to elect our congressional leaders, an important democratic process.

Election Day is held on the first Tuesday of November following the first Monday of the month. Why this date? Early lawmakers decided that the month of November was good for two reasons. 1) This time period was perfect for voting farmers who would have already finished up the harvest. 2) State election days in November were also considered early enough so the chances of winter storms arising to impede travel (no paved roads) were reduced.

In 1844, Congress decided to set a national day for elections, or Election Day. Sunday, the Sabbath, was definitely out, and Monday wouldn't work because that would require many voting residents from rural areas to travel on Sunday in order to make the polls on Monday. Tuesday was the next best day, and Congress made it so. They also stipulated that Election Day should be the first Tuesday in November after the first Monday so that the day did not conflict with November 1, a Catholic Holy Day known as All Saints Day. Thus, Election Day became a nationwide holiday.

www.standup4vets.org They stood up for us. ELECTION DAY, November 2, please make it your Mission to VOTE!

Veteran's Day (November 11)

Veteran's Day was observed on November 11 from 1919 through 1970. Public law 90-363, the "Monday Holiday Law," provided that, beginning in 1971, Veteran's Day would be observed on "the fourth Monday in October." This movable observance date, which separated Veteran's Day Day from November 11 anniversary of World War I Armistice, proved unpopular. State after state moved its observance back to the traditional November 11 date, and finally Public Law 94-97 of September 18, 1975, required that, effective January 1, 1978, the observance of Veteran's Day revert to November 11. As Armistice Day this is a holiday in Belguim, France and other European countries. "At the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month" fighting ceased in World War I. I salute you for your service. Enjoy your Veterans Day.”

DON’T FORGET! National Hug A Veteran Week (November 10-16) A week for giving heartfelt hugs and thanks to veterans who kept our country safe while serving in the military. I wish every member many HUGS during the week of November 10-16.

I Am So Thankful Month (November 1-30)
This month is dedicated to giving thanks and counting your blessings daily. Share with others the things you are thankful for! For more information, contact: Nancy J. Lewis, MS, PHR, P.O. Box 342, Fayetteville, GA 30214. Phone: (404) 559-7614. Fax: (404) 559-7614.

Email: nanjlewis@aol.com.

Web: http://www.nancyjlewis.com/

Family Caregivers Month (November 1-30)

November is Nation wide month of recognition for the millions of family caregivers. For information: Suzanne Geffen Mintz, President, National Family Caregivers Association,10400 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 500, Kensington, MD 20895-3944.

Phone: (800) 896-3650. Fax: (301) 942-2302.

Email: info@nfcacares.org. Web: http://www.nfcacares.org/.

American Diabetes Month (November 1-30)
American Diabetes Month is designed to communicate the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of proper diabetes control and treatment to those diagnosed with the disease and their families. For information contact: American Diabetes Association at (800) DIABETES or http://www.diabetes.org/.

Diabetic Eye Disease Month (November 1-30)

Can people with diabetes prevent the onset of diabetic eye disease? During this observance Prevent Blindness America tells how control of diabetes can affect diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. For information: Prevent Blindness America, 500 Remington Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Web: http://www.preventblindness.org/.

Phone: (800) 331-2020. Fax: (847) 843-8458.

VA’s Gulf War Review is produced by VA’s Environmental Agents Service (EAS) to provide information and up-to-date information for veterans who served in Desert Shield / Desert Storm and for their families. Disability compensation varies according to the degree of disability and the number of dependents.

Veterans with disability ratings between 30 and 70 percent also may be eligible for monthly allowances for eligible dependents. OTHER BENEFITS, in addition to VA compensation, service-connected veterans may be eligible for education or training (VOC REHAB), home loan guaranties, life insurance, pension (based on income), burial benefits and more. You can learn more by sitting down with a DAV chapter service officer, a DAV National Service Officer, and a county Veteran Service Commission (VSC) service officer. VSC can do service work, as well as, relief (financial assistance). Also, you can call the VA Regional Office at 1.800.827.1000 or by using the Internet www.va.gov

Gulf War Veterans Information Helpline is: 1-800 PGW-VETS (1.800.749-8386). Web site is www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar for info on Gulf War Veteran health care and other benefits.

Women veterans …

VA, “YOU SERVED, YOU DESERVED THE BEST CARE ANYWHERE!” Contact the Women Veterans Program Manager at any VA Medical Center or call 1.877.222.vets (8387). Learn more about Women Veterans Health Care online at www.publichealth.va.gov/womenshealth.

Family Caregivers Month (November 1-30)

Phone: (800) 896-3650. Fax: (301) 942-2302.

Email: info@nfcacares.org. Web: http://www.nfcacares.org/.

In comradeship,

David May, State Commander

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,

Charles Russell (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

Larry Queen Ext. 7916

Columbus Clinic, (614) 257-5487

Henry Snodgrass

Brecksville HSC, (440) 526-3030

Don Branford Ext. 7353

DATES TO REMEMBER

November 13, 2010 2^nd District Meeting, 12 noon, Dayton VAMC, Bldg. 305, Dayton, Ohio.

November 15, 2010 Golden Corral Military Appreciation Monday

November 28, 2010 4^th District Meeting, 1 p.m. with 90^th Birthday party to follow, The Buddy Chapter #43, Findlay, Ohio.

Feb. 28-March 3, 2011 C&A Midwinter Conference, Washington, DC

April 3, 2011 8^th District Meeting, Lunch at 1 p.m. with meeting to following at 2 p.m., Pioneer City Chapter #52, Marietta, Ohio.

June 16-19, 2011 90^th Annual Convention, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio

Aug. 6-9, 2011 National Convention, Hilton New Orleans Riverfront, New Orleans, LA

Oct. 7-9, 2011 Fall Conference, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

Feb. 26-29, 2012 C&A Midwinter Conference, Washington, DC

June 21-24, 2012 91^st Department Convention, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson, Worthington, Ohio.

Aug. 4-7, 2012 National Convention, Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

Oct. 12-14, 2012 Fall Conference, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

Feb. 24-27, 2013 C&A Midwinter Conference, Washington, DC

June 20-23, 2013 92^nd Department Convention, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

Aug. 10-13, 2013 National Convention, Hilton Orlando, Orlando, FL

Oct. 4-6, 2013 Fall Conference, Double Tree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT

Frank Williams

Thought for November: “Some people walk in the rain; others just get wet!!

VETERANS JOB FAIR: On Wednesday, November 10, 2010, from 10AM to 3PM a Veterans Job Fair will be held at the Hope Hotel & Conference Center on Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

This Job Fair is open to Active Duty; All Veterans, Retired and Separated; DOD Civilians, Spouses and Family Members. For more information call the “Airman & Family Readiness Center” at

937-257-3592.

MILITARY APPRECIATION DINNER AT GOLDEN CORRAL: Don’t forget to get your Free Meal at Golden Corral on Monday, November 15, 2010. All Golden Corral Restaurants are offering Free Meals , including your drink, to all Veterans as well as Active Duty Military again this year. A few other restaurants are also offering free meals for Veterans, such as Applebees, however some menu restrictions apply, and you have to pay for your drinks. Proof that you are a Veteran is required by Applebees, and other restaurants honoring Veterans except Golden Corral, who take your word that you are a Veteran.

FREE TRAIN TRIP OF VETERANS DAY: Veterans who are “Train Buffs” will be interested in the free train trip on Veterans Day, November 11^th, offered by Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for any Veteran and 1 guest. The round trip train ride departs at 1:00PM from the Independence, Ohio Station, with stops in Brecksville and Peninsula, and a engine switch stop in Akron. The route will wind through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, viewing the Ohio Canal and other points of interest. The train will have a snack car for refreshments and light lunches, with a gift car filled with road memorabilia. Also, a wheelchair lift with easy loading will be available. Call the Scenic Railroad at 330-657-2000 for more information. Parma Chapter 116, with the assistance of Chapters 108 and 72, will host 70 Veterans from Sandusky Veterans Home and the Cleveland VA Transition House. Each Veteran will be treated to a catered box lunch, and then a snack bag for the return trip courtesy of Parma Unit 116 Auxiliary.

SPECIAL THANKS to PDC Nick Border for his inspiring and motivating words on Saturday afternoon at our Fall Conference. Thanks, also to those individuals and chapters who joined Nick and me in donating to the Committee to Elect Ranger Joe Johnston. If all goes well, and with our continued support, in a few short years “Ranger Joe” will be our National Commander.

WEAR YOUR MEDALS: As our citizens salute America’s Heroes on Veterans Day, please break out your well earned medals, wear them and show your Pride. Whether you are participating in parades and other public observances, or relaxing with family and friends, your medals tell a story of your service in the cause of freedom that all Americans need to hear, and helps teach our youth the true meaning of citizenship and freedom.

As always, keep our troops in Afghanistan in your thoughts and prayers as they fight, like we have fought, to keep America, the land of the free, because of the brave. Never shall we forget that Freedom is not Free!!

THANK YOU

The Auxiliary wishes to thank everyone who brought items for our auction held at the State Fall Conference. Due to your generosity we had a very successful auction. Thanks again for your many donations.

Debby Hall, Commander

Joyce Hutchinson, Adjutant

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT