American Legion Post 94
FEBRUARY 2020 Newsletter
Up-Coming Meetings
Monthly Membership Meetings (Second Friday of every month except July)
6:00 pm – Social
6:30 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm – Program
14 February
Post VSO and Commander to provide update on new or changes to VA benefits.
13 March
The Manager of the Lacey Veterans Services Hub is being invited to come and give an update on the facility.
10 April
An invitation is being extended to the Thurston County Veterans Court to come and talk about their program.
Up-Coming Events
Here are a few events for your information. More importantly, everyone is encouraged to come and participate in any or all of them.
3 April
The 4th District spring conference will be held at Post 2 in Parkland. Social is at 5:00 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm, and meeting to follow. All are invited to attend.
Post and American Legion News
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 Safety News
Expanded Commissary & Exchange Privileges for Veterans
As of January 1, 2020 all service-connected disabled Veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war (POW), and individuals designated as the primary family caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VAs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) can present their VHIC to gain entry to DoD and Coast Guard installations and some commissary stores; and at point of sale at commissaries, exchanges (AAFES, NEXCOM, MCX and CGX) and MWR retail activities to complete their transactions.
Veteran Online Exchange Access: All honorably discharged veterans, including Reserves, are eligible to register online and shop at the online exchanges.
This is a big change from how such operations were run in the past. At one time those who did not retire from the military generally didn’t have access to on-base resources like these after leaving the service. Such access was reserved for retirees (see below).
Of all the perks of being a member of the United States military, or being in a military family, access to base facilities such as the commissary or base exchange / post exchange and exchange stores operated is one of the best with tax-free shopping and added discounts for those shopping on-post.
These benefits go a long way toward helping military families, especially lower-ranking enlisted troops who may have more debt and need more assistance financially depending on their duty location, family size, and other factors.
Read more: https://militarybenefits.info/expanded-exchange-privileges/#ixzz6Dmsig9sH
Murphy’s Military Laws of the month
· The only time suppressive fire works is when it is used on abandoned positions.
· As soon as you are served how chow in the field, it rains.
· Incoming fire has the right of way.
Adjutant’s Report
If you have not renewed your membership for this year, please do so soon.
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)
$200.00
$350.00
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 and VA News
https://www.va.gov/Blue_Water_Navy_Factsheet.pdf#
Exposure to Agent Orange by Location
Aircraft spraying herbicides
Part of the United States' strategy in Vietnam was to conduct an herbicide program to remove foliage providing cover for the enemy. Agent Orange was the most widely used of the herbicide combinations sprayed.
Agent Orange and other herbicides used in Vietnam were tested or stored elsewhere, including some military bases in the United States.
· Exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam
Presumed exposure on land in Vietnam, on a vessel operating on the inland waterways of Vietnam, or on a vessel operating not more than 12 nautical miles seaward from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia as defined in Public Law 116-23 (Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act 2019) between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975
· C-123 Airplanes and Agent Orange Residue
Possible exposure of C-123 flight, ground maintenance, and aeromedical crew members to herbicide residue in C-123 planes flown during and after after the Vietnam War
· Korean Demilitarized Zone
Presumed exposure for units determined by VA and DoD to have operated along the demilitarized zone in Korea between April 1, 1968, and August 31, 1971. The presumption dates will change to Sept. 1, 1967 to August 31, 1971 on Jan.1. 2020 in accordance with the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.
· Thailand Military Bases
VA is currently reviewing its policy on Agent Orange exposure in Thailand.
· Herbicide Tests and Storage Outside Vietnam
Possible exposure due to Department of Defense herbicide tests and storage at military installations in the United States and at locations in other countries.
Service Officer Information
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 2019-2020
Commander – Gary Walker
1st Vice-Commander - Eric Strom
2nd Vice Commander - Bob Nakamura
Adjutant - Larry Granish
Finance Officer – Jose Vargas
Sergeant at Arms – Kevin Lindsey
Chaplain – Otis Chapman
Veteran Service Officer - Rose Hodgeboom
Judge Advocate - David Hodgeboom
Post Historian – Len Tobin
