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Veterans News and Events: Korean War veterans help, DuPage Veterans Fundraiser

By Jerry Field

Contributing to a Veterans organization is very much appreciated. Take a minute and ask if your contribution is tax deductible as listed in the Internal Revenue Service standards. What is the specific overhead costs and what events are does the organization underwrite and how often.

There are many Korean Veterans who served during the conflict and were not overseas. Some of the rules for benefits and services have changed. .Contact your VSO (Veterans Service Officer) and review the current changes. If you’re a member of a national Veterans organization each has a Veteran Service Officer.

There is a national organization that is very involved with Veteran service. The national corporation is a for-profit organization, however, each city branch is an IRS approved not for profit.

Final Regulation to Aid Korean War Veterans

Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving along the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Korea will have an easier path to access quality health care and benefits under a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) final regulation that expanded the dates when illnesses caused by herbicide exposure can be presumed to be related to Agent Orange.

Under the final regulation published in the Federal Register, VA will presume herbicide exposure for any veteran who served between April 1, 1968, and August 31, 1971, in a unit determined by VA and the Department of Defense (DoD) to have operated in an area in or near the Korean DMZ in which . herbicides were applied.

Previously, VA recognized that Agent Orange exposure could only be conceded to Veterans who served in certain units along the Korean DMZ between April 1968 and July 1969.

In practical terms, eligible veterans who have specific illnesses VA presumes to be associated with herbicide exposure do not have to prove an association between their illness and their military service. This “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits and ensures that veterans receive the benefits they deserve. VA encourages Veterans with covered service in Korea who have medical conditions that may be related to Agent Orange to submit their applications for access to VA health care and compensation as soon as possible so the agency can begin processing their claims.

Veterans may visit a local Veteran Service Officer (VSO) to get a more complete understanding of how to file a claim for presumptive

conditions related to herbicide exposure, as well as what evidence is needed by VA to make a decision about disability compensation or survivors benefits.

EVENTS FROM JESSEE BROWN VAMC 820 South Damen Chicago, IL

May 14^th– 4:30pm – 6:30pm – Introduction to Web Accessibility @ 161 N. Clark St. Suite 16 Chicago, IL 60601 Call Denise B Montoya Denise.montoya@va.gov

May 16^th– 9am– 10:30am – Women Veterans Town Hall @ JBVA

May 22^nd – 9am – 1pm – Memorial Day Veterans Hiring & Resource Fair

May 23^rd – 9am- 2pm – Whole Health & Wellness Day @ JBVA

Job Opening

CTI Chicago ‘Vets Work’ has an open positions for a Veterans Outreach Specialist. This role involves recruiting and assisting veterans with Job Readiness and Employment. To learn more click here, must be a veteran, honorably discharged. If you know a veteran that would like to be connected with the recruiter, please feel free to reach out to me.

Thank you all for your time and for what you do for veterans. Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Respectfully,

Denisse B. Montoya

Voluntary Service Specialist, Outreach Coordinator

Jesse Brown VA, 820 S. Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60612 312-569-6340

Denisse.montoya@va.gov

Pritzker Military Museum and Library

Free Admission Day: Thursday, May 9, 10am-6pm, 104 S. Michigan Ave.

The Mission of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library is to acquire and maintain an accessible collection of materials and to develop appropriate programs focusing on the citizen soldier in the preservation of democracy. Since opening in 2003, the Museum & Library has hosted more than 500 events featuring the country’s most acclaimed authors, historians, journalists, and scholars.

VETERANS STRIKE FORCE

Jesse Brown VA Medical Center RM: 5593 820 S Darmen Chicago, Illinois VSF Table: 312-569-7694 Office: 312-569-6338 Fax: 312-569-7752

MISSION STATEMENT

Veterans Strike Force (VSF), a volunteer organization, is headquartered at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Our motto is “Vets Helping Vets.” Incorporated May 2000 in the state of Illinois, VSF is fast growing and currently comprises the membership of approximately 1500 veterans. Our ultimate goal is to expand the services we provide on a national basis.

Some of the services that we offer include:

Volunteer services at VA hospitals
Advocating for veterans benefits
Housing, employment, and educational program referrals

Veterans Strike Force provides veterans and their families with general information and guidance on maneuvering through the complex VA system. We work closely with national veterans’service organizations and with city, country and state entities to ensure veterans receive representation and required assistance.

VeteransStrike Force works closely with homeless veterans and their families. By continuously being a voice for those less fortunate, we advocate for the necessary tools and resources to ensure these veterans become self-supporting members of the community.

Although we are veterans helping veterans, we adamantly support the effort of our active-duty military counterparts and remain available to those returning veterans attempting to access the VA system.

We are truly focused on the plight of the veteran. This is our mission!