NORMAN — The volunteer of the week is Joann Crowe who is married to Bennie the man who keeps us organized each Thursday. Joann is always ready and willing to take on another job that needs to be done each Thursday.
We will be closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving to allow our volunteers to spend the day with their families. During Christmas week, we also will be closed on Dec. 27.
The volunteers have made a difference in more than six thousand veterans and surviving spouse’s lives during 2012. With your help, the benevolence fund was able to provide thousands of dollars worth of household and food item to hundreds of neighbors who would have done without. We also helped many of them to keep the heat on in the winter and the air on in the summer.
There were 122 men and women who made the trip to Goldsby for assistance with their VA claims and questions last week. Of this number, there were eight veterans who received a 100 percent rating for their service connected disabilities that occurred or were aggravated by military service. Those who are rated at 100 percent will receive several benefits that are provided by our Oklahoma State Government. There also were 14 veterans who received ratings of from 10 percent to 80 percent for their disabilities that were approved for service connection. There were 16 veterans who filed their first claim for benefits.
Shirley and her crew of ladies continue to be able to provide service to the veteran’s widows. Just a couple of months ago they filed a DIC claim for a widow who was approved in only two months. Many of these types of claims have taken a year to be approved. They were able to provide their service for nine surviving widows last week.
The benevolence fund was used to assist surviving spouses and veterans with food and other types of needed household items last week. Sid Smith provided food boxes for veterans and their families who are in need. If you need this type of assistance, stop by Thursday morning or call Sid at 573-1990.
Clayton Lee, 684-8860, and the other transportation drivers provided rides to seven veterans to the Oklahoma City VA Hospital for their appointments. For the Norman area veterans call Harold Martin at 227-3239 or Robert Root at 919-3008. For Moore area needs, call Howard Robertson at 205-4895.
For all of your questions and assistance about Veterans benefits, we are at the Goldsby Community Center each Thursday. Our doors open at 8 a.m. Take time to visit www.veteranscorner.org. You also may send donations to Veterans Corner, P.O. Box 704, Washington, OK 73093.
You can call me at 550-8806 or email kdgraham@windstream.net.
Semper Fi.
Dale K. Graham is service officer for VFW Post 4890.
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