September 1, 2009
Veterans News, By Edward G. Aulman

POW / MIA Night Planned

County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi has announced that the annual POW/MIA Recognition Day in Nassau County will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009. To mark the day,a special ceremony will be held at 7:00 PM at the Veterans Monument at Eisenhower Park. The public is invited to attend and all veterans organizations are welcome.

5K Walk/Run for Michael Murphey

      September 13, 2009 is the date for the special 5K Walk/Run in honor of Lt. Michael Murphey.  The race begins at 9:00 A.M. at Bethpage State Park-Polo Field.

Tunnel to Towers Run

        The 7th Annual Firefighter Steven Siller Tunnel to Towers Run/Walk will kick off at 9:30 AM September 27, 2009.  Registration is free for active duty service members.  Call (718) 987-1931 for details.

VA Makes a Mistake

      Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) a presumptively compensable illness,  is the subject of a letter sent out by the VA to 1,864 veterans.  Due to a coding error approximately one third of the recipients should not have received the letter due to the fact that  ALS is a fatal disease and not everyone who received the letter has the disease.   The VA is calling all the veterans who received the letter in error and is offering an apology.

7-Eleven Offers Franchise Opportunities

      7-Eleven, Inc.  has made it  a little easier for veterans to buy their own business. They have offered a 10% discount for veterans on the initial franchise fee for the first 7-Eleven store they franchise.  For information call 1-800-782-0711.

Honoring Army Service

      The U.S. Army has embarked on a campaign to thank all Army veterans from all generations.  Called the Freedom Team Salute Commendation, it provides a free personalized package of materials that  includes a lapel pin, decal, a certificate of appreciation and a thank-you letter.  It takes four to six weeks to receive these mementos.

      All you need to do is fill out and return a simple form or send a letter containing your name, address, former rank and stating that you received an honorable discharge.  Information can be found at www.Freedomteamsalute.army.mil or by writing U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute,  2511 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202

Marine Golf Outings

            Two golf outings are planned for the Long Island National Golf Club in Riverhead. The Iwo Jima Joes’ Shotgun will be held on September 16, 2009, and the Marine Birthday Shotgun be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. For information contact Jon Schippers at 631-369-3321 X2.

Pershing Rifles News

      The Pershing  Rifles  and the Hofstra University ROTC Corps of Cadets is planning a “Veteran of the Year” ceremony for Saturday, 24 October 2009 at 1500 hrs.  They would like  a two- or- four man color guard at the Hofstra  Stadium at that time.  They are also planning a “collectibles” demonstration, so anyone who has a World War II- to-present uniform they  would like to display  is encouraged to e-mail Paul Farinella at PFFARIN50@hotmail.com.

PTSD may Get Easier to Establish

      The VA is publishing new rules in the Federal Register to make it easier for veterans  to  claim PTSD.  The new rules would not require corroboration of a stressor but would merely require a VA psychiatrist or psychologist  to confirm that  the stressful experience recalled by a veteran adequately supports a diagnosis of PTSD, and that a veteran’s  symptoms are related to the claimed stressor.  Comment on the proposed rule will be accepted over the next 60 days.

Take a Soldier Fishing

      Take a Soldier Fishing is organizing a day of fishing off Montauk Point.  October is the best month to fish off Montauk for stripped bass, bluefish and false albacore.  For general information about Take a Soldier Fishing a subsidiary of Combat Warrior Crisis Network please contact John Vanneck at 914-924-2835.

Live to Ride Free

      A special run to Long Island National Cemetery to pay tribute to our fallen heroes will be held at 9:00 AM ( Donation $10 per bike) on September 12, 2009.  The motor cycles will be back at  VFW Post 3211, South Broadway, Hicksville, NY by 12:30 PM.  For more information call Dan Rysanek  at 516-578-1079.

      A special “Veterans Recognition Day BBQ” sponsored by Assemblymen Rob Walker, Tom McKevitt and Dave McDonough follows and last until 4:00 PM.