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Better Dental Plan Rests in Hands of Veterans

By Jerry Field

The Veterans Administration Dental Plan for Veterans is far less comprehensive than other medical services offered by the VA. Preventive medical plans are excellent covering, hearing, vision and general health benefits. Support services are excellent. Dental Plan lags slightly behind, but that could be changing soon.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is the sole sponsor of a new Dental Serves Bill before Congress. The national Veterans organizations in Washington D.C. who represent all Veterans and help support advances in Veteran benefits are lacking in membership. Each Veteran can support a better Dental Plan by simply doing two supporting events. Call your local or email your Congressperson and Senator. Ask them to join Senator Bernie Sanders to support the Veterans Dental Plan Bill for Veterans by being a sponsor of the bill. And second, join a Veterans organization that has an office in Washington D.C. Veterans can make their voices heard nationally if the national Veterans organizations have the membership numbers to convince Congress that the organizations are servicing Veterans needs and have to expanded benefits. Most Veterans organizations have free membership for those on active duty, and flexible attendance policies for those who are young and have young families and a demanding work schedule.

The website www.health.mil/news offers a wide range of information. All VA medical centers have computer rooms for those who may have a computer as well as local public libraries.

CVA Commander John Bigwood. (Combined Veterans Association) and David Hymes (former National Commander and Illinois Commander of the Jewish War Veterans from CVA annual installation of officers, in Addison Illinois 10 14 2018 — The column and one picture CVA Commander John Bigwood. (Combined Veterans Association) and David Hymes (former National Commander and Illinois Commander of the Jewish War Veterans). From CVA annual installation of officers, in Addison Illinois 10 14 2018

Shout Out Time: To the new officers of the Combined Veterans Association (CVA) for the 2018-19 operating year: John Bigwood, Marine Corp League, Commander; Mike Nash Military Order of the Purple Heart, vice commander; Treasurer, Sam Miller, Catholic War Veterans; Service Officer, Walter Komarnicki, Polish Legion American Veterans. The CVA honored Past Commander Joel Fabrikant, Jewish War Veterans, for his past year of service and his advancement of the CVA programs. The Person of the Year was former National Commander and past Illinois Commander of the Jewish War Veterans David Hynes. Last month Commander Hynes celebrated his 101 birthday. He continues to be involved in Veterans Affairs.

Retired Air Force MSgt. Ginny Narsette, now chief of staff for Director Steve Cruda of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDAV) presented the IDVA year report covering progress at the Quincy Home and a construction report regarding the Chicago Veteran Home on Oak Park Ave., in Chicago scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2019.

Past Illinois State Commander Matthew “Fritz” Mihelcic, is one step closer to becoming Junior Vice Commander-in- Chief to be slated at the national Veteran of Foreign War (VFW) national convention later this year. Vietnam Veteran Don Boyer was elected to lead the Illinois VFW as Commander. He lives in New Lenox, IL

A Save Haven is offering a “catch up” program for obtaining a GED and more than a dozen other services for Veterans and their families. (773 435 8374)

Rick Murray, a fixture at Memorial Day and Veterans Day events for more than 20 years lending his bass baritone voice to the National Anthem and God Bless America, will celebrate his 21st year next month at Soldier Field ceremony. Murray served with the Triple Nickle (555) Airborne Battalion during the Korean Conflict.

Condolences to the family and friends of David Rogers Jr. a leading Veterans advocate, program manager and devoted to helping Veterans where needed. If you visit Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Rogers was instrumental in developing the “Strike Force” Unit at the end of the Atrium. “Strick Force” is a major source of information, referrals and all information for Veterans. The distribution rack offers more than 100 sources of information of Military information and services. The unit is open daily from 8 to noon.

Rogers was a devoted member of the Arthur Lockhart Resource Institute and Family center at 4941 West Chicago Ave. He was a part of the University of Southern California research project: “The Status of the American Veteran” that is acclaimed nationally as a current definitive study of American Veterans.

(Submit your Veterans information and events to columnist Jerry field by email at jerrychicago710@gmail.com.)