U.S. Rep. Grace Meng and Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley sponsored a veterans’ forum this week to address a bevy of issues, including healthcare options, education and training opportunities, mental health counseling and home loan programs. Anna Gustafson/The Forum Newsgroup
The veterans who filed into Maspeth High School on Monday have known hardship.
They’ve known what it is to serve in conflicts across the globe, from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of them have known what it is to return to a country dismissive of their efforts, while others know what it is to face spending the rest of their lives in wheelchairs.
They’ve battled with depression, with post-traumatic stress disorder, with thoughts of suicide. They’ve wondered how they will ever transition back into a world where most people have no idea what it means to be in their shoes.
But those congregating in Maspeth High School, at a veterans’ forum sponsored by U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) and Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), also know what it is to persevere – and so they attended this week’s event to see if they could change their lives, whether by receiving help with things like health care, disability benefits and unemployment.
“I’m here to find out about insurance because I pay more and more for insurance with lousier results,” said Kenneth Gredel, a Glendale veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1963.
Meng and Crowley teamed up to offer the two-hour forum for veterans from throughout Queens in order to connect the former military men and women with available services, from education and training opportunities to home loan programs and new programs for female vets.
While addressing the crowd, Meng said one of the top constituent complaints her office receives is from veterans who are waiting to receive disability benefits.
“We need to reduce the backlog of veterans’ claims,” Meng said. “We’ve introduced a bill to hold the (Department of Veterans’ Affairs) to be more responsible and take ownership of these claims.”
Desiree Wisotsky, of Glendale, sings the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the veterans’ forum. Wisotsky’s father is a veteran.
Crowley, who was presented at the forum with a plaque of appreciation from the Allied Veteran Memorial Committee of Greater Ridgewood and Glendale for securing funding for their annual Memorial Day parade, called the event “the first of its kind in our area in a long time.”
“There are many services out there, but the connection doesn’t happen as often as we’d like,” Crowley said.
State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) also attended the event and echoed Crowley’s sentiment.
“There are plenty of veterans’ programs out there, but we need to get that information out to the community.”
About 26 organizations were represented at the forum, including the U.S. Veterans Administration New York Regional Office, America Works of NY, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Non Traditional Employment for Women.
Edward Perry, the outreach coordinator at the U.S. Veterans Administration, told veterans that to track their disability claims, they should call (800) 827-1000 or visit facebook.com/VeteransBenefits. He also stressed that veterans are have access to a wide variety of programs through the federal government, including a home loan program. For more information about the loan program, visit benefits.va.gov/homeloans/scra.asp.
Vietnam Veterans of America National President John Rowan, left, Chapter 32 President Paul Narson, member Ray Ohrablo, and member Tom Bullaro informed veterans of the different services their organization provides, including funerals for individuals without family.
Patrick Combs, outreach coordinator for America Works – which just opened an office in Jamaica – said his group helps match veterans with jobs in industries they can navigate well – such as security or food services.
“More veterans are coming home and not finding jobs,” Combs said. “The unemployment rate for veterans is higher than it is for the rest of the population.”
Tom Bullaro, a Middle Village resident and member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 32, said his group works hard to provide individuals with information about medical coverage.
“Agent Orange is a big problem for a lot of our guys – a lot of people are suffering because of that,” said Bullaro, who served in Vietnam in 1966 to 1967. “There’s a lot of sickness, cancer – fallout from Agent Orange.”
Additionally, the organization works to provide funerals and burials for indigent U.S. military veterans.
The following is information collected at the veterans’ forum sponsored by U.S. Rep. Grace Meng and Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley at Maspeth High School this week.
Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America:
For widows, widowers or children of veterans:
Non-service connected Survivor’s Pension (need-based): If you are a widow, widower or child of a veteran whose death was not related to his/her military service, you may be eligible for a non-service-connected survivor’s pension if your veteran’s estate is incapable of supporting you. For more information, visit www.vba.va.gov/survivors
Dependent’s education following a veteran’s death:
Assistance is available to dependents for education and training, provided the veteran’s death is a service-connected condition or the veteran was rated by the VA as 100 percent service-connected permanent and total. For more information, visit www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/
Burial Benefits:
The National Cemetery Administration, a division of the VA, provides a gravesite, a headstone or marker, an opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care in a VA national cemetery. To be eligible, the veteran must have been discharged from the military under conditions other than dishonorable and the veteran must have completed his/her required period of service. For more information, visit www.cem.va.gov. For information on state cemeteries, visit www.nasdva.net.
Veterans Health Council:
The Department of Veterans Affairs has determined that certain illnesses and health concerns have been associated with military service. Go to www.veteranshealth.org to see lists of illnesses and health concerns identified with service during wartime. If you served during one or more of these periods of war and have any of the diseases listed, you may be eligible for benefits, compensation and health care.
America Works:
Do you need a job?
America Works helps veterans receive public assistance, receive food stamps, participate in the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, and receive Social Security or disability benefits. They offer free car fare and metro cards for interviews, free metro cards for up to six months after employment, and cash bonuses for achievement of employment milestones.
The services America Works offers includes job placement, resume preparation, interview preparation, health insurance guidance, clothing referrals, psychological counseling, and substance abuse counseling.
Nontraditional Employment for Women:
This nonprofit offers free career training for women in the building and construction, transportation and public utilities fields. Call (212) 627-6252 for more information or visit www.new-nyc.org.
From the Department of Veterans Affairs:
VA contact numbers:
VA benefits: (800) 827-1000
Health benefits: (800) 222-8387
Education benefits: (888) 442-4551
Life insurance: (800) 669-8477
Gulf War & Agent Orange: (800) 749-8387
Headstones and markers: (800) 697-6947
VA website: www.va.gov
To find out more about benefits online, visit www.ebenefits.va.gov
LaGuardia Community College Veterans Upward Bound Program:
All veterans are welcome to take this free program that works with individuals on academic/college prep and assistance. The program includes an assessment of academic skills; refresher courses in math, writing, reading and computer skills; tutoring and mentoring; individualized academic advising; college admission forms; and financial aid applications. Career counseling, help with GI Bill applications, and referrals to community agencies serving veterans are also available.
For more information, call (718) 482-5386 or (718) 482-5231. Individuals may also email vets@lagcc.cuny.edu or visit www.lagcc.cuny.edu/veterans.
