Winter Issue 2010

Submitted by Scott Castillo

Nassau County VSA; featured on Nationwide Veteran Telethon

On Saturday, November 11, 2010; The Veterans Service Agency was on a 24 hour live talk show on Laura Kennedy Live and simultaneously over several other broadcasting networks. The telethon will be dedicated to sharing memories and stories of our fallen soldiers; celebrations of the servicemen and women who are still serving this Country, and showcasing the talents and successes of our returning Veterans.

http://flagstillstandsforfreedom.com

VA Encourages Affected Vietnam Veterans to File Claims

WASHINGTONThe Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun distributing disability benefits to Vietnam Veterans who qualify for compensation under recently liberalized rules for Agent Orange exposure.  Up to 200,000 Vietnam Veterans are potentially eligible to receive VA disability compensation for medical conditions recently associated with Agent Orange. The expansion of coverage involves B-cell (or hairy-cell) leukemia, Parkinson’s disease, and ischemic heart disease. Call VSA to place claim. For more information please link to: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1991

Home Loan Program Going Strong Despite Tight Market

WASHINGTON – With mortgage rates at historic lows, Veterans and military personnel continue to use the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan program in record numbers to purchase a home or refinance their existing loans.VA is honored to administer a benefit that for two-thirds of a century has profoundly affected the lives of our Veterans, our military Service members, and their families.” For more information please link to: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1990

Huge Success: Welcome Back Warriors; 2010 All Vet Job Fair

Mr. McGlynn, 38, was one of more than 100 military veterans who interviewed for jobs or sought information about veterans benefits Monday at a jobs fair in Bethpage sponsored by Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington).Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, many of whom joined expecting to gain marketable skills while in the service, are finding the job market even tougher to crack than nonveterans, according to data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unemployment for all veterans nationwide was 10.2 percent in 2009 - the last year for which complete BLS data is available - compared to 9.3 percent for all American workers. Information for Long Island veterans could not be determined. Link;http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/bethpage-job-fair-targets-unemployed-military-veterans-1.2338231

County Executive Mangano with “WBW’ Job Fair Committee Members: Joyce Barron, Mary Degiovine, Brendan Beebe, and Chairman Scott Castillo  

Congratulations to our Vets: 2010 Ground Breaks Award

Pat Yngstrom attended the New Ground’s 10th Annual Groundbreakers celebration on November 11th, 2010 where he accepted an award on behalf of all U.S. military veterans. The event, held at Carlyle on the Green at Bethpage State Park, was co-chaired by County Executive Edward P. Mangano, Lou and Mary Carnesecca, and former County Executive Suozzi. Benefits will support veterans.

Thank You Carlos, For Helping our Veterans on Long Island

Former US Marine Carlos Espinoza has used his experiences as an honorably discharged veteran to create Semper4Soldiers, a non-profit organization geared to helping disabled, active, and needy veterans get back on their feet.  On Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010 the volunteers of Semper4Soldiers joined forces with Wal-Mart of East Meadow to help repair the homes of Vietnam vets in need. The store donated new furniture, chairs, tables and other home goods. The team also repaired and painted the first floor, basement, and cleaned up the yard. Read more at: http://glencove.patch.com/articles/glen-cove-nativesnonprofit-gets-vets-back-on-feet

New Dentist Helping Our Veteran Community

Dr. DeFilippis provides all aspects of dental treatment. He has a network provider on Delta Dental, United Concordia and other insurance plans. He is located 1740 Front Street, East Meadow, NY 11554 Phone: 516-794-8081 Website:http://www.michaeldefilippis.com/index.html

Recent Events

Wednesday, November 10 2010: United States Marine Corps Birthday Ball; Chateau Briand, Carle Place, NY

Upcoming Events

Monday, November 22: Veterans Stand Down; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at New York State Armory, 63 Babylon Turnpike, Freeport NY

Tuesday, December 7, 2010, 10:30 a.m. Event”  “Dropping of the Roses”- Statue of Liberty fly over commemorating the exact time of the attack on Pearl Harbor.  The Skytypers of New York will fly vintage WWII aircraft from Republic Airport at 12:00 noon to New York Harbor.  The aircraft will drop sixty-nine American Beauty Roses over the Statue of Liberty at precisely 12:55 p.m.  For more information please contact Fred DiFabio at 631-754-6383 at the American Airpower Museum, Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY.

On December 5, 2010 AMVETS there will a Pearl Harbor Day Service at 2:00 p.m. at the Long Island National Cemetery.

Newsletter Request

Veterans wishing to receive their newsletter via e-mail should send a request with their full name and e-mail address to:  dturner@nassaucountyny.gov

Happy Thanksgiving.