I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to view our Veterans Corner Web site at www.veteranscorner.org that Robert Bovee has designed for us.
With this tool you can find many of the answers to questions that you or your family may have about VA benefits. There are links to many different Web sites that you may find helpful in dealing with your VA claim. The Veterans Corner Web site also is linked to the Veterans Affairs Web site where you can download many of the forms that maybe needed in applying for benefits. All of this is for you to learn as much as needed about your VA claim.
Thursday, the Goldsby Community Center was bursting at the seams with more than 140 veterans and widows seeking assistance with their claims and questions about VA benefits. Of the number we worked that day there were 34 filing for the first time and the rest were follow-ups with their claims. Several were approved for that 100 percent rating with 15 others receiving ratings from 10 percent up to 80 percent.
We keep hearing of veterans that received the 100 percent and did not return for the rest of their benefit package. For those who receive 100 percent, their spouse will receive the Champ VA medical insurance free. You must apply within the time periods to be eligible for this.
Also, the Oklahoma Legislature approved a bill that allows those at 100 percent to not pay property taxes on their home or sales tax. These benefits have gone unused for some because our veterans did not return for a follow up visit.
Some of these disabled veterans we see do not know that they also may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. We will send them to the Social Security office to apply for these benefits.
The parking lot at the Community Center is in a construction phase and parking will be a problem for the next few weeks. Try to not block anyone in when you park and please allow the closest places for our handicapped people. If you can have someone drop you off it could help while construction is ongoing.
We were able to help several families with medical tests and food items last week from our benevolence fund. If you would like to help some of the more needy families, contact Ray Harden at 408-6950.
You also can mail monies to Veteran's Corner at P.O. Box 704 Washington, OK 73093.
We have several of our helpers checking on our neighbors to see who needs help the most during the holidays. Our veterans memorial continues to be a bright spot for all of us. There was a silver-haired couple sitting on one of our benches last week just looking at the monument and the bricks around it.
I would like to know all of the stories from the veterans whose bricks guard the monument. If you have a short one that I could write about send it to me and I will try to share it with others. If you see Harold Harvell or Billy Atkins around tell them how proud we are of their work on this.
For all of your questions and assistance about veterans benefits we are at the Goldsby Community Center each Thursday with sign-in at 4:45 a.m. We usually stop signing people in by 7:30 a.m. or when we reach 120 or so. Be there early for us to help you with your claim. We do our best to process each one in a timely manner but be prepared to stay awhile and be patient.
Take time to visit our Web site at www.veteranscorner.org. You can call me at 550-8806 or e-mail kdgraham@windstream.net
Semper Fi.
Dale K. Graham is service officer for VFW Post 4890.
