NORMAN — I was out of town last week and was unable to be at the Goldsby Community Center. From the reports that I received from volunteers, it seemed to go well for the veterans and surviving spouses who stopped by for assistance.
There were 114 men and women who were seen by staff. Of this number, there were nine surviving spouses who filed claims for DIC or pension benefits based on their husband’s military service.
Today I received a call from a lady whose husband served in the Korean War and had recently passed away. She said that her home was being repossessed because she could only make half of the payment. I do not have the answers to many of these questions when they are in need of more money than we can provide. There should be help for those folks who have done everything right their entire life.
There were nine veterans who received a rating of 100 percent for their service connected disabilities last week. Those veterans who receive this rating will be eligible to receive the Oklahoma state benefits if they apply for them. Their spouse also would be eligible for the free Champ -Va medical insurance if the veteran did not retire from the military. This insurance would be the primary one until the spouse is eligible for Medicare, then she would be required to purchase A and B to continue with Champ-Va as a secondary at that time.
Sid Smith, 573-1990, provided food and other household items to seven families last week. Clayton Lee, 684-8860, and the other transportation drivers, provided rides to the Oklahoma City VA hospital to several veterans who needed assistance. Jerry Baxter, 833-0773, treasurer, has been busy keeping us operating on budget.
If you would like to help us to help our fellow veterans and their surviving spouses, we are a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit. If you know of anyone who could help us with property in the Goldsby area that we could build our own building on, we are interested in a larger facility.
For all of your questions and assistance about veteran’s benefits, we are located at the Goldsby Community Center each Thursday. Our doors open at 8 a.m.
Take time to visit our web site, www.veteranscorner.org.
You may also send donations to Veterans Corner P.O. Box 704 Washington, OK 73093. You can contact me at 550-8806 or kdgraham@windstream.net.
Semper Fi.
Dale K. Graham is service officer of VFW Post 4890.
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