Information Bulletin

Disabled American Veterans, Department of Ohio

35 E. Chestnut St., PO Box 15099, Columbus, OH 43215-8099 Phone (614) 221-3582 FAX (614) 221-4822 E-mail: ohiodavadjutant@ameritech.net

Website: www.ohiodav.org January, 2007

Herman W. Morton

Department Commander

There is renewed strength and energy at the beginning of each New Year, a rebirth of spirit that we will be able to accomplish the new goals we have set for ourselves. In addition to achieving immediate objectives, DAV National Adjutant Arthur Wilson said, we must look to the future with anticipation of changes sure to come. As we move into the future, we need to create strategies that will sustain our organization as routine changes become more challenging.

A conference called by Mr. Wilson, resulted in a series of goals and issues to help the DAV maintain its preeminence as a service organization. We must remember this body of work is a living entity, to grow and shift as necessary to keep pace with lifestyle changes. In the technology-driven way of communicating, i.e., blogs, internet and text messaging, current means and methods of communicating would have been unrecognizable twenty years ago. Our ability to identify and stay ahead of changes as they occur is paramount to the success we hope to achieve. It reminds me of the infantry phase “lean forward in the foxhole,” meaning to be vigilant and prepared to act.

Strategies for the future of the DAV are not top-down initiatives. Grassroots’ efforts to recognize changes that could potentially hinder the sustainability of the organization must be incorporated.

Mr. Wilson’s conference identified areas that need monitoring, and set forth plans of actions to avoid surprises down the road. Topics in the DAV Strategic Plans include a) increased membership, b) changing service needs to veterans, c) volunteer recruitment, d) leadership development, e) increase government and public awareness of veteran issues, and f) refine fund raising.

Veterans of WWll were certainty forward-looking in their efforts to secure benefits for those who followed them. As Past National Commander Paul Jackson said, “Today’s troops are tomorrow’s veterans,” and today’s veterans need to be good stewards of healthcare for those in the future.

We need to understand how young veterans may differ from veterans of the past, and is it true they are less fraternal. How do we meet their expectations to increase membership, and as an organization, how are we viewed? Are we actively seeking new leaders to groom for future leadership, and what changes are needed to get the public and government support we deserve? These issues and others need to be in the forefront of our concerns, and because we live in such a fast-paced world today; we need to “lean forward in the foxhole.”

“There is no such thing as intuition; it’s intelligence drawing on past experience, training, and knowledge.” This quote clarifies the Disabled American Veterans’ approach to the future. No guesswork, but a strong effort to ensure that services to veterans in the future is met with the level of professionalism expected.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Nat’l. Hdqrs., DAV (877) 426-2838

NSO Office, Cleveland (216) 522-3507

NSO Office, Cincinnati (513) 684-2676

Washington Office, DAV (202) 554-3501

Cincinnati HSC,

Sheila Clements (513) 475-6443

Dayton HSC, (937) 268-6511

Michael Muhammad Ext. 2962

Wade Park HSC, (216) 791-3800

Walter Dryja Ext. 3395

Chillicothe HSC (740) 773-1141

James Keller Ext. 7916

Columbus Clinic, (614) 257-5487

Michael Hackworth

Brecksville HSC, (440) 526-3030

Don Branford Ext. 7353

Warren Clinic (330) 392-0311

Youngstown Clinic (330) 70-9200

Ext. 105

Veterans Administration 1-800-827-1000

DATES TO REMEMBER

Feb. 25 – 28, 2007 DAV Mid-Winter Conference, Crystal Gateway Marriott,

March 31, 2007 DAV Commander Morton Testimonial Dinner, Holiday Inn Eastgate, Batavia.

April 28, 2007 DAVA Commander Brewster Testimonial Dinner, Holiday Inn, 2800 Presidential Drive, Fairborn, Ohio.

June 7-11, 2007 DAV Department Convention

The Midwest Hotel, Columbus

August 11-14, 2007 DAV National Convention,

Hilton New Orleans Riverside,

New Orleans, LA

March 31, 2007 DAV Commander Morton’s Testimonial Dinner, Holiday Inn Eastgate, Batavia

April 28, 2007 DAVA Commander Brewster’s Testimonial Dinner, Holiday Inn, 2800 Presidential Drive, Fairborn, Ohio.

June 7-11, 2007 DAV Department Convention, The Midwest Hotel, Columbus.

August 11-14, 2007 DAV National Convention,

Hilton New Orleans, Riverside, New Orleans, LA

October 19-21, 2007 Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio

March 2-5, 2008 DAV Mid-Winter Conference, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA

June 5-8, 2008 DAV Department Convention, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio

August 9-12, 2008 DAV National Convention,

Bally’s Hotel, Las Vegas.

October 10-12, 2008 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

June 4-7, 2009 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

October 9-11, 2009 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

June 10-13, 2010 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

October 8-10, 2010 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT

Frank Williams, State Adjutant

There are two ways of exerting one’s strength: One is pushing down, the other is pulling up!

I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and, perhaps, found a way to help make life a little better for a fellow disabled veteran.

We hear so much of the suicide bombings – the Sunni attacks on Shiites and reprisals by Shiites attacking Sunnis – only occasionally do we hear any good news. For instance, a recent report by Global Insight in London, tells us that Iraq’s economy is booming!!! Real estate is doing great; construction, retail and wholesale trade sectors are healthy; three years ago there were only 8,000 registered companies in Iraq – today there are over 34,000! Of course, most news media do not report good news…violence and sensationalism is what sells.

We’ve had plenty of finger pointing and shouting matches on the war…maybe what we need are leaders with more character, followers with more discrimination, deciders who hear as well as listen and media that know the difference between what they perceive the public is interested in and what is truly in the public interest!

Former VA Secretary Tony Principi has stated that “something is wrong” with the unemployment rate of younger veterans, currently at 15%. This is about 3 times that for non-veterans in the same age group and represents lost tax revenue and productivity as well as lost personal financial assets, medical coverage and increased family stress.

If you haven’t made your New Year’s Resolutions yet, you might resolve to go visit our Veterans in the VA Hospitals and Nursing Homes. Too many of them are left alone, even by relatives, are lonely and in dire need of someone to let them know they are not forgotten… wipe away their tears and put a smile on their face.

As always, pray for our troops who are in harms way. God bless America and may he continue to bless the Disabled American Veterans. Never forget that……………………FREEDOM IS NOT FREE…it is bought and paid for by our Veterans who are not so unlike YOU and ME!

DEATH BENEFITS

Leslie James, NSO

When a veteran dies the compensation or pension they were receiving from the VA STOPS!!

Probably the most misunderstood VA benefit is whether or not a surviving spouse will receive any money after the death of their spouse. There are two types of monetary benefits available to surviving spouses. The best one is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). This is a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors if:

1. The veteran died from a service-connected disability.

2. A service-connected disability contributed to the cause of death.

3. The veteran was receiving compensation at the 100% percent rate for ten continuous years prior to death.

4. Since the veteran’s release from active duty and for at least five continuous years prior to death was receiving compensation at the 100% percent rate.

5. The veteran was a former POW who died after September 30, 1999, and was receiving compensation at the 100% rate for one year prior to death.

Meeting the requirements for number one is fairly easy. If a veteran is service-connected for a heart condition, even if it is rated 10%, and dies from the same heart condition, DIC will be established because the cause of death is related to the service-connected disability.

If a veteran is service-connected for Diabetes Mellitus II but is not service-connected for a heart condition and the death certificate states the heart condition is the immediate cause of death, then National Service Officers would always argue the Diabetes Mellitus II contributed too or lent assistance to the cause of death and that DIC should be established. Sometimes we have to appeal these types of cases in order to be successful.

Meeting the requirements for number three is very simple. If a veteran has been receiving compensation at the 100% rate for ten continuous years, either by the disabilities being rated 100%, or if the veteran has been receiving Individual Unemployability for ten continuous years, DIC is automatically established, regardless of what the caused the death.

The confusing part in number four is the veteran must be receiving compensation at the 100% rate for five years immediately after discharge from the military and die within the five year period.

Number five is the same as number three except it applies to former POW’s. If a former POW dies after September 30, 1999, and is receiving compensation at the 100% rate for one year prior to death, then DIC is established no matter the cause of death.

In addition to meeting these requirements, the surviving spouse must have been married to the veteran for at least one year prior to death or had a child with the veteran. The surviving must have cohabited with the veteran continuously until the veteran’s death, or if separated, was not at fault for the separation and the surviving spouse is not currently married.

If DIC is established, the basic current monthly rate is $1,067.00 a month. If the veteran died from a service-connected disability and was receiving compensation at the 100% rate for eight continuous years, then the surviving spouse will receive an additional $228.00 a month. If the veteran was receiving compensation at the 100% rate for ten continuous years prior to death, DIC is automatically granted and the surviving spouse will receive the basic rate plus the additional $228.00 a month.

It is possible that a surviving spouse may receive higher levels of DIC if their health deteriorates where they meet the requirements for Housebound benefits or require Aid and Attendance of another person to perform the daily functions of life.

The other monetary benefit available to surviving spouses is Nonservice-connected Death pension. There are only two requirements to obtain this benefit. One, the veteran must have served during a period of war. Two, the surviving spouse must meet the income limit set forth by Congress. Currently, the income limit for a surviving spouse is $610.00 a month. The most important thing to remember about this benefit is the VA must count any income the surviving spouse receives from any source against this pension. In other words, this $610.00 would be reduced dollar for dollar for any Social Security, retirement, or any other type of income the surviving spouse is receiving. As you can see, it would be very difficult, it not impossible for a surviving spouse to live on $610.00 a month.

Next month, I will discuss the various types of ancillary benefits available to surviving spouses, including burial benefits, Dependents Educational Assistance, and CHAMPVA.

As always, it is a pleasure to serve all of you and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at your convenience.

Leslie A. James

National Service Officer

DISABLED VETERANS PLAN FLORIDA OUTDOORS EXCURSION

When Dennis Joyner returned from Vietnam in 1969, he still wanted to enjoy all the sports he’d loved before he enlisted in the Army. An avid athlete and outdoorsman, Joyner was severely wounded in a landmine explosion. However, he refused to allow the loss of his legs and left arm to keep him from the sport he loved.

Joyner, whose professional achievements include service as a county elections supervisor in Florida, credits opportunities like hunting for helping him regain his confidence while he established his life following his combat injuries.

On January 6 and 7, Joyner and several other severely disabled Vietnam-era veterans and outdoor enthusiasts will welcome wounded Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom veterans to Dixie County, Florida, to participate in a hunting event organized to honor disabled veterans.

The event, which will be held near Hines, Florida, is sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Wheeling’ Sportsmen program. Whether it is shooting, hunting, fishing or archery, there is no limit to the outdoor opportunities Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF can bring to a person with disabilities eager to get outside and participate in a more active lifestyle.

Wheeling’ Sportsmen NWTF provides people with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors through local chapter events nationwide. The program also provides a full-color, quarterly magazine to its members. Wheeling’ Sportsmen magazine is dedicated to the education and entertainment of outdoors enthusiasts with disabilities.

Recently, the organization has partnered with Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to provide disabled veterans additional outdoor recreation opportunities.

“Just because you’ve lost your legs or an arm in service to your country doesn’t mean you’ve lost your passion for the sports and activities you knew before your injury,” said Joyner, who is a past National Commander for the DAV. “The NWTF and the DAV want to make the outdoors accessible for disabled veterans and give them the opportunity to reclaim a part of their lives they loved.”

Use of the 27,000-acre hunting site and facilities for the veterans are being donated by Bailey Cattle Company.

For more information on this event contact Mike Blanton with Wheelin’ Sportsmen at 352-212-9718 or e-mail at cynbad@xtalwind.net.

For more information about Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF, visit the web site, http://www.wheelinsportsmen.org or call 800-THE-NWTF.

For more information on the National Wild Turkey Federation, call 803-637-3106, the organization’s Web site at http://www.nwtf.org.