"Nassau County - Long Island, New York"

The number of unemployed Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is now almost the same as the number of service members currently deployed in support of those two wars. Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi has announced the “Warriors to Work” program, which was formed to find work for veterans in Nassau County. Veterans who need work should call Scott Castillo at 516-572-8452. We encourage businesses to participate in our program.

As a side note 328,000 veterans will attend school this fall 460,000 by the end of 2010.

Russia to Recognize US Veterans

The Russian Federation is looking for members of the US veterans population who took part in the Northern convoys, Airmen who took part in operation “Frantic Joe” and “Frantic”, and soldiers who took part in the historic meeting between Soviet and American troops on the Elbe River. A special reception is planned for them. Please contact Captain(N) Vladimir Belyaev, Deputy Military Adviser, Russian Permanent Mission to the UN, at136 E 67th Street, New York 10065, (212) 861-4900, (646) 873-0459 or email at vladimirbelyaev@hotmail.com

Legislative Breakfast Planned

The American Legion is planning their Legislative Breakfast for Sunday, October 11, 2009 at the 1st Marine Corps District Headquarters in Garden City. Tickets cost $15. The Veterans of Foreign Wars is planning their Legislative Breakfast at the Albertson VFW Hall for Sunday, October 25, 2009, and tickets for the can be purchased at the door.

VA’s Suicide Prevention Program Adds Chat Service

The Suicide Prevention campaign of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is expanding its outreach to all Veterans by piloting an online one-to-one “chat service” for Veterans who prefer reaching out for assistance using the Internet. Called “Veterans Chat,” the new service enables Veterans, their families and friends to go online where they can anonymously chat with a trained VA counselor. If a “chatter” is determined to be in a crisis, the counselor can take immediate steps to transfer the person to the VA Suicide Prevention Hotline, where further counseling and referral services are provided and crisis intervention steps can be taken. To access “Veterans Chat”, try www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org .

Senior Citizens Law Day

Senior Citizens Law Day is coming toStony Brook University, Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 9 am to 3 pm in the Student Activities Center on West Campus.Senior Citizens Law Day is a community event that offers 24 free educational sessions on topics related to senior life planning. The topics include:Asset Protection and Estate Planning, Advance Directives, Wills and Trusts, Community Resources, Preventing Identity Theft, Reverse Mortgages, How to select a Nursing Home, Long Term Healthcare Insurance, Consumer Fraud, Pre-need Funeral Arrangement, and more. Space is limited, so call 631-751-3094.

VA Warns of Scam

The Department of Veterans Affairs is warning Veterans not to give credit card numbers over the phone to update VA prescription information. The VA does not call Veterans and ask them to disclose personal financial information over the phone. Veterans with questions about VA services should contact the nearest VA medical center or call, toll-free, 1-877-222-8387.

U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Open

Rain or shine, Tuesday, November 10, 2009 will be the 17th Annual U.S.M.C. Birthday Open at The Long Island National Golf Club 1793 Northville Turnpike, Riverhead, NY. Included will be golf, cart, use of driving range, buffet breakfast, buffet dinner, 2-hour open bar and tournament prizes. All participants must bring a “ TOY for Tots”. Cost is $130. Call Jon Schippers at 631-369-3321, ext. 2.

John Lennon Birthday Bash

Saturday, October 10, 2009will be the night“The Liverpool Shuffle”hits the American Legion Hall in Northport,fora pizza party and beerblast to raise money forour troops overseas.For information call 631-261-4424

Assisted Living for Veterans

A 20-acre parcel of land of the grounds of the Northport VA Medical Centermay bethe location ofa complex dedicated to senior veterans and their spouses. A publicmeeting to air the Enhanced –Use Lease for Affordable Assisted Livingwill be the first step in the process.

Green Jobs For Veterans

The Veterans Green Jobs Academy is offering 8-week courses to empower veterans to transition into leadership positions in the growing field of energy efficiency and conservation.

HEAT programs will take place in up to 10 states during 2009 including CO, LA, NM andWA.. Veterans are encouraged in travel from anywhere to participate. For more information, please visit http://veteransgreenjobs.org/

PTSD Change in Claims for Vets

The Department of Veterans Affairs is moving closed to simplifying the process for many veterans to link post-traumatic stress disorder to their military service, whether in a war zone or not, which opens the door for disability benefits. Under the new policy, VA would accept veterans’ own testimony and a psychiatrist or psychologist must confirm that the traumatic event took place.

Salute to the American Fighting Soldier

Old Bethpage Village Restoration is offering a “Salute to the American Fighting Soldier” on October 17-18 from10 a.m. to 4 p.m. announced Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. Among the troops represented are the 3rd New York (Revolutionary War); 119th New York Infantry and Jackson’s Flying Artillery(Civil War); 71st New York Infantry(Spanish-American War); and the U.S. 3rd Infantry and 101st Airborne(World War II). In addition, there will be re-enactors from the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War and World War I, as well as active service personnel stationed on Long Island. Entrance fee is $10 for adults and they are located on Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage; for more information call 516-572-8400.