R. V. Van Schoick
American Legion Post 94
OCTOBER Newsletter
Up-Coming Meetings and Events
Monthly Membership Meetings (Second Friday)
6:00 pm – Social
6:30 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm – Program
12 October 2018
County Commissioner Bud Blake will be coming to our meeting and talk to us about what the County Commissioners are doing to support veterans, active duty and their families in the county.
9 November 2018
We are requesting that Santa’s Castle from JBLM come and talk to the Post as well as a Veterans Day Ceremony.
14 December 2018
We are requesting a representative from the Fisher House on JBLM come and talk to the Post about their program.
Post and American Legion News
A big thank you to everyone who helped make our annual Membership and Awards night a big success. Also, thank you to everyone who attended. I think everyone had a great evening.
The Post now has a website in addition to its Facebook page. Please check it out at:
http://centennial.legion.org/washington/post94
You can also follow Post activities on Facebook. Check it out and like us to follow events.
Our Facebook page is American Legion Post 94 Lacey Washington.
General Veteran and VA News
On the morning of 16 November 2018, Thurston County will be having its annual Veterans Stand Down at the Olympia Armory. There will be a number of organizations there to assist veterans. In the afternoon, there will be a hiring fair that is open to everyone. So if you are looking for a job or a better job or know someone who is looking for work or needs assistance, have them come there.
Also, at the Veterans Stand Down, our Post, in partnership with the Thurston County Food Bank, will be distributing Thanksgiving Baskets. If you or someone you know would like a Thanksgiving Basket, have them stop by the Lacey Veterans Services Hub and sign up. There is no charge and no eligibility requirements.
Blue Water Veterans and Agent Orange Exposure
Veterans who served on open sea ships off the shore of Vietnam during the Vietnam War are sometimes called "Blue Water Veterans."
Exposure to Agent Orange
Blue Water Veterans are not presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides. Some of the open sea ships docked to the shore of Vietnam, operated in Vietnam's close coastal waters and sent smaller vessels ashore, or conducted operations on the inland waterways of Vietnam.
These Blue Water Veterans, who did not set foot in Vietnam or serve aboard ships that operated on the inland waterways of Vietnam anytime between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, must show on a factual basis that they were exposed to herbicides during military service to receive disability compensation for diseases related to Agent Orange exposure. These claims are decided on a case-by-case basis.
VA maintains an evolving list of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships associated with military service in Vietnam and possible exposure to Agent Orange based on military records. The latest version of the ships list can be found on VBA’s “Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange” Web page.
Veterans who stepped foot in Vietnam or served on its inland waterways anytime between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides when claiming service-connection for diseases related to Agent Orange exposure. Veterans in these circumstances can find the ship(s) on which they served in the list as well.
Exception: Blue Water Veterans with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may be granted service-connection without showing inland waterway service or that they set foot in Vietnam. This is because VA also recognizes non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as related to service in Vietnam or the waters offshore of Vietnam during the Vietnam Era.
HMD report on Agent Orange exposure
VA asked the Health and Medicine Division (HMD) (formally known as the Institute of Medicine) of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to review the medical and scientific evidence regarding Blue Water Veterans’ possible exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides.
HMD's report Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans and Agent Orange Exposure was released in May 2011. The report concluded that "the committee was unable to state with certainty whether Blue Water Navy personnel were or were not exposed to Agent Orange."
VA benefits
Eligible Veterans may receive the following VA benefits:
· Health care benefits: A full range of medical benefits. There are many ways that a Veteran may qualify for VA health care benefits.
· Disability compensation: A monthly payment for diseases related to Agent Orange exposure. Blue Water Veterans who did not set foot in Vietnam or serve aboard ships that operated on the inland waterways of Vietnam must show on a factual basis that they were exposed to herbicides during military service in order to receive disability compensation for diseases related to Agent Orange exposure (other than non-Hodgkin's lymphoma).
· Other benefits: Home loans, vocational rehabilitation, education, and more
Surviving spouses, dependent children and dependent parents of Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and died as the result of diseases related to Agent Orange exposure may be eligible for survivors' benefits.
Need help determining exposure?
VA can help determine Agent Orange exposure or qualifying service in Vietnam after you file a claim for compensation benefits.
Murphy’s Military Laws of the month
· If your ambush is properly set, the enemy won’t walk into it.
· All five-second grenade fuses will burn down in three seconds.
· Professionals are predictable, but the world is full of amateurs.
Adjutant’s Report
American Legion National and Department Headquarters voted to raise their dues by $5.00 each for a total of $10.00 starting January 2016 for a grand total of $50.00 per year. The Post voted to not raise its dues at this time.
Building Rental
If you were not aware, the Post offers both the post building and the pavilion for rent.
Building
Post Members
Non-Members
Post Building
$175.00
$325.00
Pavilion (available only on week nights)
$175.00
$325.00
Pavilion is no longer available for weekend rentals. The post has a Church renting it for both Saturday and Sundays.
There is a $200.00 refundable security deposit requirement as well. Please contact Larry Granish at 360.701.5921 or email at lgrani@comcast.net to reserve either facility.
Chaplain’s Corner
Contact the Post Chaplain, Otis Chapman, at lukie1964@gmail.com if you need assistance.
Service Officer
Do you feel that you have a residual health problem that is linked to your time in the service? Have you applied for benefits with the Veterans Administration and been turned down? If so, do not try to deal with the VA on your own. My name is Rose Hodgeboom and I am the Post 94 service officer. It is my job to help you navigate the benefits system. Call me at 360-491-3621 if you need assistance with a claim. The Legion also has a Temporary Financial Assistance program that could help you one time with paying your utilities, rent/mortgage, or other emergency needs. This is an American Legion Children and Youth program and to qualify you must have minor children in your home. If you feel you need help from this program let me know and I will be glad to help.
The Lacey Veterans Service Hub also provides a wide variety of assistance to veterans and now has over 35 providers working out of there. The Hub is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (except holidays) and is located at 4232 6th Avenue SE, Suite 202, Lacey, WA 98503. The phone number is 360.456.3850.
Post Officers for 2017-2018
Commander – Gary Walker
1st Vice-Commander - Bob Nakamura
2nd Vice Commander - Larry Douglas
Adjutant - Larry Granish
Finance Officer – Dave Hodgeboom
Sergeant at Arms – Kevin Lindsey
Chaplain – Otis Chapman
Veteran Service Officer - Rose Hodgeboom
Judge Advocate - David Hodgeboom
Post Historian – Eric Strom
