1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:15,760 All across America and around the world, this is Veterans Radio. 2 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:21,360 And now, your host for today's program, Dale Throneberry. 3 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:25,480 Yeah, and welcome to Veterans Radio. 4 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:27,160 My name is Dale Throneberry. 5 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:33,000 I was a CW-2 helicopter pilot in Vietnam, 1969, half a century ago. 6 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:34,400 My goodness, holy moly. 7 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:36,400 I'm not sure how this happened. 8 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:37,840 But anyway, welcome today. 9 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:41,480 This is our benefits program for the month of June. 10 00:00:41,480 --> 00:00:44,320 We're already into June, my goodness. 11 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:48,280 So if you have any questions that you'd like to ask our board of experts, 12 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:54,920 our panel of experts here, the local number is 734-822-1600. 13 00:00:54,920 --> 00:00:59,400 This number can be used since we are broadcasting live in Detroit as well. 14 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:03,440 You could use that number and get in and ask your questions. 15 00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:05,480 We have a lot of things to talk about today. 16 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:09,240 We're going to be talking about what's going on at the VA. 17 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:14,640 In Ann Arbor, we're going to be talking about some disability issues that are going on out there. 18 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:19,040 Remembering that there are two separate entities of the same thing. 19 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:22,640 One is for healthcare and the other is for the disability. 20 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:28,280 And Aiden attendance and those types of benefits for the veteran. 21 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:30,840 So we want to make sure that you are aware of that. 22 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:36,760 There's a couple of other issues that have come up over the last month that we're going to be talking about. 23 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:40,560 And again, I encourage you to join us. 24 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:47,000 But first thing I have to do is to thank our sponsors because we can't do this program without our sponsors. 25 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:50,360 And number one on the list is legal help for veterans. 26 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:54,360 Legal help for veterans specializes in veterans disability claims. 27 00:01:54,360 --> 00:02:00,280 Give them a call at 800-693-4800 or go to their website. 28 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:02,920 That's legalhelpforveterans.com. 29 00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:07,560 The National Veterans Business Development Council, better known as NVBDC, 30 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:12,360 is the nation's leading third party authority for certification of veteran-owned businesses. 31 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:16,880 Former information, you can go to their website, NVBDC.org, 32 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:22,160 or give them a call at 888-237-8433. 33 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:26,560 Charles S. Kettle VA Medical Center here in Ann Arbor, Michigan, 34 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:30,360 one of the top VA medical centers across the country. 35 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:32,760 For more information, you can go to their website. 36 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:34,880 That's va.gov. 37 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:40,120 The Vietnam Veterans of America motto is never again will one generation of veterans abandon another. 38 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:51,080 For more information, go to their website, vva.org. 39 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:56,280 And our local support from the Irwin Prescott American Legion Post 46 40 00:02:56,280 --> 00:03:02,280 and the Charles S. Kettle's Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 310, both of Ann Arbor, Michigan. 41 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:07,880 If you'd like to support Veterans Radio, please go to our website, veteransradio.org, 42 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:13,080 click on the donate button, and thank you very much for your support in advance. 43 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:16,360 All right, that's the official business that's out of the way. 44 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:23,080 We have a lot of events that are going on in June in the local area and across the state of Michigan. 45 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:31,480 And I'm going to queue up an interview that Jim Faustone did with, where does his name go? 46 00:03:31,480 --> 00:03:38,280 J.C. Stewart. J.C. Stewart is out in Grand Haven and they are having a big extravaganza coming up. 47 00:03:38,280 --> 00:03:41,480 So if we could play that interview real quick, it runs about four minutes. 48 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:44,760 So we'll be back in just a little bit. Here's Jim and J.C. 49 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:53,320 We've got J.C. Stewart on the line, a Marine over in Grand Haven, Michigan, who's got some 50 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:59,480 exciting things coming along for Lakeshore's Environmental Gala and an air show in 2025, 51 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:03,160 but some stuff going on this month. J.C., tell us all about it. 52 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:10,760 Yes, sir. Thank you for having me on. This actually gala coming up June 7th, next Friday, 53 00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:16,760 is a great opportunity that I put together on the Lakeshore for our veterans to come and see 54 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:26,200 and be in person. Various benefits, factors of in-person services, they will give you 55 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:31,640 opportunities to know what benefits you have. There's opportunities also to know what other 56 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:37,640 benefits you may get that you may not know of. We'll have people such as the VA from Wyoming, 57 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:44,120 they're on site supporting some of the mental health, as well as the medical side. And we all 58 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:50,760 have the Ottawa County VA director and his team there on site to go over certain aspects of 59 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:58,440 your benefits as far as home, education services, etc. And we are very excited for this to be in 60 00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:03,880 the first year. This is a two-day event and you've got activities, STEM activities that 61 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:11,400 should interest the whole family. Tell us about it. Absolutely, yes. This is a gala that's going to 62 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:18,840 be including STEM activities for aviation, marine vessels, as well as construction engineering. So 63 00:05:18,840 --> 00:05:24,440 the kids will be able to learn a little bit about how aerospace works. They'll be able to build sand 64 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:29,320 castles and understand how construction works where they can put bricks on top and see that 65 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:34,600 the structure holds. They're going to be able to build airplanes. They're also going to be working 66 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:40,280 and building floating vessels for marine understanding things such as buoyancy and learning how 67 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:46,520 boats work in the water where you have metal, you know, a ton of metal onto water and how that 68 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:52,200 floats. So it's very exciting for the family of us. Tell us where this is going to be held. 69 00:05:53,480 --> 00:05:59,800 This is going to be held in Grand Haven at the Mulligan's Hollow. That's going to be near the YMCA 70 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:05,560 if you're familiar with the Tri-Cities YMCA. Both days again, June 7th, Friday and June 8th, 71 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:13,720 Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. where we will have live music following the STEM programs. 72 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:19,000 And actually this Friday for the Saturday, excuse me, the Friday for the 7th, we are actually going 73 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:26,120 to have a very cool drone show at dusk that's going to be dedicated to the military for all the family 74 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:34,280 to see. Now there is, as there is always, food and drink at these things and you're looking for 75 00:06:34,280 --> 00:06:40,600 folks to pre-register so you know who all's coming. Tell us how people get tickets and get out to 76 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:51,560 this program. Absolutely. So if you were to go up to our website at www.lakeshoreairshow.com, 77 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:57,720 you'll find all your details with getting your tickets and by the way the STEM tickets are free. 78 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:02,680 We are a limited team though so you got to get your tickets as they're available and then you 79 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:07,640 can also buy your tickets to the entertainment for the live entertainment. We're going to have a 80 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:14,200 live rock band for $10 which will be a donation towards our air show fundraising that's going to 81 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:20,680 take again next year in June 2025. And before we wrap up here, tell us about that air show you're 82 00:07:20,680 --> 00:07:27,320 planning in 2025 that this is all a part of. Absolutely. So this air show is going to be the 83 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:32,920 first of its kind here in West Michigan and actually all of Michigan where this will actually take 84 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:40,680 place over the Lake Michigan beaches here in Grand Haven where we will be able to have this air show 85 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:46,200 free of charge as long as you have access to the state park. You can walk there, you can drive there 86 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:50,840 but as long as you have access to the beach it's free of charge. We're going to have several 87 00:07:50,840 --> 00:07:56,280 civilian aircraft as well as military aircraft that are going to demonstrate the variation of 88 00:07:56,280 --> 00:08:02,680 aviation in the sky and we are hoping that this does develop over time in the next couple of years 89 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:08,200 to where we're going to include boat shows and other activities during that time on the beach. 90 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:14,600 Well we encourage people to check this out and maybe go to Grand Haven here for this 91 00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:24,200 Gala over two days. Give us that website once more JC. Absolutely. That website again is 92 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:36,280 www.lakeshoreairshow.com. Hey Marine, thanks and Semper Fi. Semper Fi, thank you for your time. 93 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:44,200 All right, thanks Jim. Thank you very much for that and we're looking forward to finding out more 94 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:48,760 about that particular event over in Grand Haven. I think it's going to be kind of cool really. 95 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:55,480 The other thing I've got is a vet fest that is coming up in Houghton County, Michigan. That's 96 00:08:55,480 --> 00:09:04,040 way up in the UP and this is going to be this coming Wednesday, June 5th. The Veterans Resource 97 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:10,680 Fair is at Michigan Tech University in Houghton. Even if you just show up you have proof of service, 98 00:09:10,680 --> 00:09:15,880 you get a $20 fuel card, free meal for veterans and their families, there's all kinds of veteran 99 00:09:15,880 --> 00:09:21,000 service officers and over 50 service providers and organizations are going to be at the event. 100 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:28,440 I would encourage you to head out there and if you're up in the UP, that's Wednesday, June 5th 101 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:36,040 from 1 to 5 p.m. And for more information you can check out the Houghton County Veterans Service 102 00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:41,960 Office up there in the UP. This looks like it's really fun and I like this one. It's cool. 103 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:48,040 This is Music Will Be Provided by Tom Catalan and the Highway 41 Band Between Programs. 104 00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:54,840 That sounds neat. So hopefully you can do that. The last thing I wanted to talk about real briefly 105 00:09:54,840 --> 00:10:02,360 was a happy birthday and this happy birthday goes to the Detroit VA Center. This is the 106 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:13,000 Charles Dingles VA Center. It started, I guess, 29 years ago. They closed down the one that was in 107 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:18,840 Alvin Park, moved everybody to Detroit and so I was hoping to have somebody on but they didn't get 108 00:10:18,840 --> 00:10:25,240 back to me. So anyway, I wanted to wish them a happy birthday to the Detroit VA system over there. 109 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:29,880 All right, so let's see what's going on here in Ann Arbor in the healthcare system. 110 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:36,280 And so joining me right now is our good friend and he's the communication director for the 111 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:41,800 Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center here in Ann Arbor and that is Brian A.s. Brian. Welcome back. 112 00:10:42,360 --> 00:10:47,800 Hi, Dale. Thanks for having me back. I appreciate you coming back. So tell me what's going on at 113 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:52,920 Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Health Center. Well, you know, every time I come on we have so much 114 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:56,920 going on. I try to do it briefly because I know you have more show that's more than me. But 115 00:10:56,920 --> 00:11:02,600 you know, last week we had a really successful women's clinic dedication ceremony featuring 116 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:09,800 Carol Ann. It was wonderful. It is officially named the Brigadier General Carol Ann Faustone 117 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:15,400 Women's Clinic. It was a really, really great time and it was wonderful to see everybody. 118 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:25,880 And Carol Ann, you have a huge family. Oh, Brian, shout out to your crew and specifically 119 00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:38,200 my good buddy, Sean Stevens, did a fabulous job. That whole crew. I was overwhelmed, humbled. 120 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:48,360 The room standing room only. The Knights of Columbus Bishop Joseph Coffey came in representing 121 00:11:48,360 --> 00:11:57,640 Archbishop Tim Brolio for the military. What a spectacular event. Yeah, it was so much fun. 122 00:11:57,640 --> 00:12:02,680 It was so nice seeing you and your element and with your family. It was just a it was really a 123 00:12:02,680 --> 00:12:09,560 great time. You can know so you appreciate it. Thanks the director again. Director Ginny. 124 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:17,000 She was fabulous. Everybody. I mean, it was a wonderful event. Thank you. It really was. Thank 125 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:22,120 you. And you know, in other news and Ann Arbor, you know, the construction, if you've been to the 126 00:12:22,120 --> 00:12:26,280 medical center for primary care within the last year, you know that we're doing construction 127 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:30,920 there. That continues on one side and then it'll shift to the other side. Once that complete, 128 00:12:30,920 --> 00:12:37,480 that's complete. Once it gets done, our primary care clinics will be brand new state-of-the-art 129 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:42,120 suites that are going to be pretty awesome. Really excited to get those up and running. 130 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:46,120 Right now they're not bad, but we want to get them get them really nice for our veterans. 131 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:50,920 And then of course, our Finley Clinic opening up late summer in Finley, Ohio. That's big news, 132 00:12:50,920 --> 00:12:55,480 brand new Seabock down there. And the folks in Finley are very, very excited about that clinic 133 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:59,800 coming online and then we are too. And we'll probably be having a ceremony for that maybe and 134 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:05,240 hopefully by October for that. And just a couple of events coming up. I wanted to pass along to 135 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:11,160 the folks who at least are listening in the local Ann Arbor area and at Jackson. We've got a veteran 136 00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:16,920 appreciation cookout and PACT Act enrollment fair that's coming up on Thursday, June 20th 137 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:22,040 or 10 until 2 at the Jackson VDA Clinic. And Dale, you had mentioned a few minutes ago a vet 138 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:27,080 fest happening way up in Houghton. We've got a couple of vet fests happening here locally. 139 00:13:27,080 --> 00:13:32,920 One on August 3rd, it's the Washington Community College vet fest. That's from 10 until 3 on Saturday, 140 00:13:32,920 --> 00:13:38,840 August 3rd at Washington Community College. And then of course, the annual vet life vet fest in 141 00:13:38,840 --> 00:13:44,760 Fowlerville at the Fowlerville Family Fair. That's on Saturday, August 10th from 11 to 3. And that's 142 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:50,840 what I have today. Okay, it's very busy. The only other thing I wanted to mention was that I just 143 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:56,520 saw on the website because for those of you that don't bother going to the VA website because it 144 00:13:56,520 --> 00:14:01,480 seems complicated. It's not that really that complicated. But there's all kinds of news there 145 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:07,080 of what's going on. And one of the news stories was that there's another research project that 146 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:13,720 is going to be starting up or it's probably may have started already at the NMRVA. And it's a 147 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:25,800 heart research program that inserts a little sensor into your, as a stent in your heart. 148 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:33,960 The idea there is it helps prevent heart failure. The VA is amazing as far as their research 149 00:14:33,960 --> 00:14:42,440 programs that they do across the country. Well, in our VA, particularly, this is one of the big, 150 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:48,440 obviously the big research projects that are going on. But VA and Arbor has over 400 research 151 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:56,040 projects going on at any given time. And there's just a lot of primary science that's developed 152 00:14:56,040 --> 00:15:02,840 here, as well as research on top of other research. But we're really proud to have been selected as 153 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:09,560 one of the few facilities in the country that will be participating in this revolutionary device study. 154 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:18,040 I know. I was just amazed when I saw the list of all of the different research projects that were 155 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:24,200 going on at our VA and I'm sure at VA's across the country. And I think that's something that I 156 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:30,600 really wanted to point out to our audience that, you know, I think that the VA in many cases is, 157 00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:36,920 you know, a step above many of the medical centers across the country, especially as far as research 158 00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:41,400 is concerned. A lot of folks don't really, I know, Carol Ann, one second. I just wanted to make the 159 00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:46,200 point that a lot of it's good. It's good to know that, you know, VA is really at the forefront of 160 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:51,880 a lot of medical research, you know, things like the nicotine patch was invented by the VA. The 161 00:15:51,880 --> 00:16:00,280 first liver transplant was by VA. Just all kinds of firsts that come from VA research. And it's 162 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:09,080 worth noting that. Well, Brian, I'm sure you're aware of this on another front, but it's on the VHA 163 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:20,360 side. On June 1st, it was Penpal Day. And legal help for veterans took a crew of our staff. And 164 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:29,480 we went to the John Dingell VA Medical Center on Thursday of last week. And on Friday, we went to 165 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:36,440 the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center with a thousand, with a hundred cards. And we went through the 166 00:16:36,440 --> 00:16:46,600 hospital with your voluntary services, Camille down in Detroit and Alan Bray, and then in Ann Arbor 167 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:54,360 Gustav, the voluntary services director. And we walked in and around the staff on the inpatient 168 00:16:54,360 --> 00:17:04,440 units. And I would like to offer to our listeners that if you've got individuals out there, groups 169 00:17:04,440 --> 00:17:12,360 of people that want to go in and visit and thank our veterans, they were so happy to have us come 170 00:17:12,360 --> 00:17:22,360 and give them cards and just thank them for their service. Just at a different time of year, I know 171 00:17:22,360 --> 00:17:30,040 we do that for Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but they were so happy to have us come. You could just 172 00:17:30,040 --> 00:17:38,200 contact the voluntary services office. And it was just such a great day to go into both 173 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:46,200 facilities. And so I was so excited to do that and happy. And yes, I did pay another visit 174 00:17:46,200 --> 00:17:54,120 to the Women's Center in Ann Arbor. And what a great staff there. So Brian, thank you again for 175 00:17:54,120 --> 00:18:00,920 everything at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. Thank you. And thank you, Dale. That's all I have 176 00:18:00,920 --> 00:18:07,720 today. All right, Brian. Thank you very, very much. We'll talk to you next month. See ya. All right. 177 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:12,280 All right. I have to correct something myself. I wish the happy birthday to the wrong VA center. 178 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:20,120 It's the John Dingle VA Center in Detroit, Michigan. And there is some music that just came out that I 179 00:18:20,120 --> 00:18:26,360 got a text from just a minute ago that talks about that they're actually opening their downriver 180 00:18:26,360 --> 00:18:34,120 outpatient clinic. Another VBAC is coming on June 3rd. So tomorrow, oh, Monday, Monday, they are 181 00:18:34,120 --> 00:18:39,960 opening up one of their clinics. And they're doing much the same that probably many of the VAs around 182 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:44,040 the country are doing. But it's good to know where they are. So this one is going to be, 183 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:50,920 it says the VA Downriver Clinic on Fort Street in Trenton, Michigan. So you don't have to drive 184 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:55,320 all the way into Detroit. You don't have to drive all the way to Ann Arbor. Those of you that are 185 00:18:55,320 --> 00:19:00,920 downriver, you can go down to Trenton and get started on everything that you need to get started 186 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:06,760 on. So anyway, so thank you. That's the information. All right. So we're going to take a quick break here 187 00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:11,160 to our Medal of Honor segment. When we come back, we've got General Carol Ann Faussone 188 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:19,720 of Women's Health Clinic fame and David Sames, who is a Washtenaw County Veteran Service Officer. 189 00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:26,440 And we're here to answer your question. So the number again is 734-822-1600. And we'll be right 190 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:32,840 back. You're listening to Veterans Radio. The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in 191 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:38,040 combat given a member of the Armed Forces of the United States. There have been over 3,400 192 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:43,560 recipients of the nation's highest award. This is one of them. Walter Ellers of his brother 193 00:19:43,560 --> 00:19:51,080 were in the first wave to hit Omaha Beach on D-Day. Details after this. If you have a VA claim 194 00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:57,960 denied by the Board of Veterans Appeals, contact legal help for veterans at 1-800-693-4800. 195 00:19:57,960 --> 00:20:01,960 They're experts in handling cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 196 00:20:01,960 --> 00:20:08,840 Their number again, 1-800-693-4800. Staff Sergeant Ellers' brother was several hundred yards away 197 00:20:08,840 --> 00:20:13,960 on the beach and they didn't see each other. Ellers' unit ran into a decimated unit of 198 00:20:13,960 --> 00:20:18,760 Bangalore Torpedo men and provided cover for them as they used their explosives to blow a 199 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:24,680 hole in the German fortifications. This allowed an American breakup. On June 9th, 200 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:29,720 Ellers' platoon came under heavy fire. He climbed a hedge row and called his men to follow. 201 00:20:29,720 --> 00:20:36,200 He spotted a German patrol and killed four of the enemy. Ordering his men to fix bannets and firing 202 00:20:36,200 --> 00:20:42,280 from his hip, he destroyed a machine gun nest. He then attacked a second machine gun, killing three 203 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:47,960 more. The platoon moved out the next morning and came under intense fire from both sides. 204 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:52,840 The commander ordered a withdrawal. Ellers realized that someone had to provide cover. 205 00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:58,600 He motioned his automatic rifleman to follow him, scrambled to the top of a mount of earth 206 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:03,880 that provided a vantage point. They began firing on the Germans, drawing fire away from the rest 207 00:21:03,880 --> 00:21:09,160 of the platoon. Ellers was hit in the back, but was able to kill the sniper that shot him. 208 00:21:09,720 --> 00:21:15,240 When his rifleman was wounded, Ellers dragged him to safety. Ellers was treated at a field 209 00:21:15,240 --> 00:21:21,400 station and insisted on returning to action. Unable to strap on a backpack, he strapped on 210 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:27,880 two bandoliers of ammunition, picked up a rifle, and went to find his men. A month later, 211 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:33,240 he was informed that his brother was killed on Omaha Beach. Ellers was presented the Medal of 212 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:40,760 Honor by Lieutenant General John Lee on December 19th, 1944. The Medal of Honor series is a production 213 00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:47,960 of Veterans Radio. Military veterans touch everyone's life. I'm guessing right now you're thinking of a 214 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:54,760 veteran, a close friend, relative. Maybe it's you. Even the toughest among us sometimes need help, 215 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:59,560 but don't know where to turn for support. You don't need special training to help a veteran in your 216 00:21:59,560 --> 00:22:06,440 life. If you know a veteran in crisis, don't wait, reach out. Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, 217 00:22:06,440 --> 00:22:12,200 then press 1. 988, press 1. A message from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 218 00:22:17,160 --> 00:22:22,440 Now we're back on Veterans Radio and this is our benefits program this week. And so I wanted to 219 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:29,160 bring in my two experts that we've got. We've got retired Air Force Brigadier General Carol Ann 220 00:22:29,160 --> 00:22:35,560 Fausson from Legal Help for Veterans, a certified organization to help veterans. And David Sames, 221 00:22:35,560 --> 00:22:40,760 who is the Washtenaw County Veterans Service Director of the Veterans Service Office here 222 00:22:40,760 --> 00:22:48,040 in Washtenaw County. David, welcome back. Thank you. Great to be back. It's nice to be anywhere, 223 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:57,240 right? Yes, right. Okay. So I guess to start off without I wanted to find out if you would if 224 00:22:57,240 --> 00:23:01,880 either one of you have had any unusual claims that you know that we could tell our audience about. 225 00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:09,160 Maybe they're not aware of. We know that the PACT Act has increased the availability of potential 226 00:23:09,160 --> 00:23:14,760 claims. And that is kind of running wild. I saw an article where it said over a million 227 00:23:14,760 --> 00:23:23,080 claims have been posted or attempted in the last year since that came out. So what's happening 228 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:29,400 Carol Ann, what's happening at Legal Help? Well, I think it's interesting because 229 00:23:30,920 --> 00:23:39,800 and I think David and I have talked about this, but a veteran handed me a letter a couple weeks ago 230 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:49,720 and it was from, believe it or not, the secretary of the VA that he received in the mail addressing 231 00:23:49,720 --> 00:23:57,640 thank him for his service. But then it was related to reporting any issues of harassment, 232 00:23:57,640 --> 00:24:11,560 any issues of care, anything that was not good service, anything related to 233 00:24:13,800 --> 00:24:24,520 once again the ideas of a challenge, not good customer service. They wanted to stop harassment, 234 00:24:24,520 --> 00:24:34,840 any intervention that they didn't consider acceptable. And we've been trying to address that word of 235 00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:42,600 abuse during service. And so I just found it really interesting because we've been trying to 236 00:24:42,600 --> 00:24:50,520 look at some of those issues of abuse during service even many years after, particularly with 237 00:24:50,520 --> 00:24:57,240 females and David and I have had some discussions regarding that. So I thought that that was pretty 238 00:24:57,240 --> 00:25:05,000 interesting that this letter has surfaced from the secretary about that they're not going to 239 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:15,640 tolerate any of that behavior by staff and employees. Was this a letter to a woman 240 00:25:15,640 --> 00:25:23,080 a woman veteran or was it just no, it's entitled Dear Veteran or beneficiaries and it went out, 241 00:25:23,080 --> 00:25:30,280 I think globally to individuals. And so interesting. 242 00:25:32,680 --> 00:25:37,800 Yeah, well, you know, and I think we talked more about this last month when we were talking about 243 00:25:37,800 --> 00:25:47,400 that the VA has really reached out to women veterans, especially, you know, from decades ago. 244 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:50,920 Yes, you know, like there's no there's no statute of limitations. 245 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:59,080 Well, I'll read you just one line. If you are, if you or someone you know has been harassed or 246 00:25:59,080 --> 00:26:07,400 sexually assaulted at a VA facility, I encourage you to report this and follow up with guidance 247 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:14,760 and they give you some guidance to follow with reporting any wrong actions. And so 248 00:26:15,560 --> 00:26:23,000 I was really encouraged by this, you know, that there will be no tolerant tolerating any of these 249 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:31,720 actions. And I'll some of the other things that they're sending out to so the VA compensation 250 00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:38,600 side, they're sending out reminder letters for everybody that filed an intent for the PACT Act, 251 00:26:39,560 --> 00:26:46,760 reminding them that they have to complete their fully developed claim by August, I think it was 252 00:26:46,760 --> 00:26:53,640 10th, right, or whenever you filed your intent. So they're sending I think they're sending over 253 00:26:53,640 --> 00:27:02,680 300,000 letters to people that haven't filled out their formal claim. So we think that, you know, 254 00:27:02,680 --> 00:27:11,160 our office will be again, busy, not that we're not busy right now. And but those letters are going 255 00:27:11,160 --> 00:27:20,200 out, I think they went out last week. On the claim front, we one of my VSOs reopened another 256 00:27:20,200 --> 00:27:26,920 DIC claim, dependency and demony compensation claim for the spouse because the 257 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:35,640 veteran has had passed and passed quite long ago. And right when he passed, she didn't 258 00:27:35,640 --> 00:27:41,880 fill out the application, but two years later she did. Well, then she came back because of the PACT 259 00:27:41,880 --> 00:27:50,840 Act. And in that it was so they do a compensation pension exam without the vet, of course, but 260 00:27:50,840 --> 00:27:56,440 with all the medical records, and they opinion that it was at least likely not due to service. 261 00:27:57,080 --> 00:28:09,080 And it was another $250,000 retro. So again, if you know, if there's a dependence out there that 262 00:28:09,080 --> 00:28:16,840 had filed claims and got denied, reach out to your local county office and reopen that because 263 00:28:16,840 --> 00:28:23,000 there might be something there might not be. But those are just some of the things that we've been 264 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:31,240 seeing and focusing on. Because in the PACT Act expanded a lot of stuff, especially Thailand, 265 00:28:31,240 --> 00:28:34,840 with those Vietnam vets, and a lot of people are unaware. 266 00:28:34,840 --> 00:28:41,160 Are you launching something? Maybe it's an intention to file a claim? 267 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:48,360 It's called an intent. Yeah, so it's an 09, 210966 is when you want to 268 00:28:49,080 --> 00:28:54,040 file a claim with a VA, but you don't have all your evidence yet. So you file the intent. So that 269 00:28:54,040 --> 00:29:00,120 means I saved my place in line for a year. And so you have a year to develop your claim, and then 270 00:29:00,120 --> 00:29:06,440 you have to file the formal claim on the 21526 easy. Okay, and if I don't file a claim with any 271 00:29:06,440 --> 00:29:11,640 year, I have to start over again? Or it's... It just drops off. Yeah, so it won't go a year back. 272 00:29:12,520 --> 00:29:18,360 And in this instance, if you file the intent, it won't go back two years because the date of the 273 00:29:18,360 --> 00:29:26,680 law change. Right. Okay, I think that's rather interesting. Both of those things are, I think, 274 00:29:26,680 --> 00:29:34,120 really important. We all know surviving spouses of veterans who would file the claim, or didn't 275 00:29:34,120 --> 00:29:42,520 even file a claim and died of a service-connected disability. And I think this is an opportunity 276 00:29:42,520 --> 00:29:49,000 for some of them to go back and see what they can do. Oh, yeah, definitely. David, you're 277 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:58,840 example just recently for our families. Please communicate because we go out and 278 00:29:59,800 --> 00:30:07,560 ask for a case to be expedited if we find out that a person, the veteran, is terminal. We find 279 00:30:07,560 --> 00:30:14,280 out that they're placed in hospice and we're waiting for an exam. We filed the claims. We know that 280 00:30:14,280 --> 00:30:22,920 you've got a cancer that is presumptive and it's in there. We're waiting for an exam. We just find 281 00:30:22,920 --> 00:30:30,760 out your terminal. We call, we write, we try to get it expedited. You don't get that exam and then 282 00:30:30,760 --> 00:30:37,400 you die. And then the veteran dies. That's also very related to the case you just described. 283 00:30:37,400 --> 00:30:47,480 They go back and the individual, the spouse now, we're putting in for DIC, but then we're going 284 00:30:47,480 --> 00:30:57,080 back to also regarding another award that it's backdated because of what we did to ask for it to 285 00:30:57,080 --> 00:31:06,600 be expedited without the exam. Yeah, and that comes into play when you do the substituting 286 00:31:06,600 --> 00:31:14,200 of claimant. So even though the veteran dies, the spouse can be the substitute claimant and then 287 00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:23,080 you file the 601. And so they develop it just like if the veteran was a lie. Right. I think that 288 00:31:23,080 --> 00:31:30,120 is really important, especially for our audience out there who's not that familiar or maybe their 289 00:31:30,120 --> 00:31:39,400 spouse didn't fill them in on what they could have gotten from through the VA on the benefits side. 290 00:31:40,040 --> 00:31:46,520 And so I think if you know, in talking to the audience that's out there, if you're going through 291 00:31:46,520 --> 00:31:54,600 your spouse's paperwork after they've passed and you find something in there from the VA or even 292 00:31:54,600 --> 00:32:00,840 if you knew that they had a condition that you thought that they had applied for compensation 293 00:32:00,840 --> 00:32:04,680 and never followed through on it, this is an opportunity for you to do that. 294 00:32:07,400 --> 00:32:07,960 Oh, yeah. 295 00:32:08,840 --> 00:32:14,120 Keep it, you know, keep it going because there are so many different things that are available out 296 00:32:14,120 --> 00:32:21,720 there. You know, we, excuse me, we talked briefly about an article that showed up in the Washington 297 00:32:21,720 --> 00:32:29,240 Post last week. Last week, I think it was two weeks ago. And it's talking about organizations 298 00:32:29,240 --> 00:32:37,640 that are not certified to file claims with the VA, but they are out there filing claims. And 299 00:32:37,640 --> 00:32:44,120 they're also charging the veteran or the family to file these claims and appeals and everything 300 00:32:44,120 --> 00:32:49,480 else along the line. And they're charging in some cases some, you know, some really hefty fees 301 00:32:49,480 --> 00:32:53,000 in order to do that. And then of course, there are also some of them are also 302 00:32:53,000 --> 00:32:58,120 taking a percentage of the, of your, of your benefits that you're entitled to. 303 00:32:58,760 --> 00:33:05,160 And so I was wondering if you've heard anything about this particular story or if you have any 304 00:33:05,160 --> 00:33:13,400 comments you'd like to make on it. Either one of you. I've come across this many times where 305 00:33:13,400 --> 00:33:19,800 you know, vets, you know, their buddy went through another person and you know, 306 00:33:20,440 --> 00:33:26,040 the claims that they'll get it through within 90 days or they'll get you the highest percentage 307 00:33:26,040 --> 00:33:33,880 because they're, they know more and they're connected with the VA and they do charge where 308 00:33:34,760 --> 00:33:41,320 some of them charge a flat fee, some charge money for Nexus letters, and then some charge 309 00:33:41,320 --> 00:33:49,720 where let's say somebody's 10% and then they get 50. They request that 40% difference for 310 00:33:49,720 --> 00:34:01,160 five times five months. And so I see it out there and I tell the vets, I'm like, hey, listen, 311 00:34:01,160 --> 00:34:06,440 you're in Washington County, you're in one of the best counties here. So come to me. I mean, 312 00:34:06,440 --> 00:34:13,480 we don't charge none of the counties charge none of the service orgs, like the American Legion VFW, 313 00:34:13,480 --> 00:34:22,040 DAV, VVA, they're not charging for their service. And it's, you know, if it goes further on like 314 00:34:22,040 --> 00:34:30,920 the BVA or the US Court of Appeals, then, you know, attaining a lawyer that might be beneficial, but 315 00:34:30,920 --> 00:34:38,600 with the status of the claim on the beginning, definitely go to your service orgs or your county. 316 00:34:41,720 --> 00:34:49,480 What I, what I could tell you is with legal help for veterans or any case, ask them when, when we 317 00:34:49,480 --> 00:34:55,560 take a case, I know veterans will say, well, how much are you going to charge us? And we say, 318 00:34:55,560 --> 00:35:05,320 we charge nothing. If on an appeal on the back end is the only time and there is 319 00:35:07,240 --> 00:35:18,360 the, the VA, depending on your decision, but we are certified, as you said in the very beginning 320 00:35:18,360 --> 00:35:26,840 of the year, we're going to be doing Dale and we go through Nova. So if you are a veteran out there, 321 00:35:26,840 --> 00:35:38,840 you need to ask the organization, are you certified? Or if you're an attorney firm, finance, do you 322 00:35:38,840 --> 00:35:45,960 know what you're doing? And they should not be requesting any money upfront. As Dave said, 323 00:35:45,960 --> 00:35:56,360 none of the VSOs, the counties, we legal help for veterans do not expect any money upfront. 324 00:35:56,360 --> 00:36:05,480 And then there's the other, I would say, opportunity for a veteran with aid in attendance. 325 00:36:05,480 --> 00:36:15,480 And I believe it is a law that no attorney, nobody should be accepting any money for aid in attendance. 326 00:36:15,480 --> 00:36:25,560 It is a benefit. It's an income-based benefit, aid in attendance to the veteran and the spouse, 327 00:36:26,120 --> 00:36:35,240 or the widow, could get this benefit. But there is no charge to fill out that paperwork. So 328 00:36:35,800 --> 00:36:42,280 you really need to shop it around. And as David and I were talking ahead of time, 329 00:36:42,280 --> 00:36:50,600 I think sometimes you go into a financial planner and somebody will say, hey, we'll do this and 330 00:36:50,600 --> 00:36:56,280 we'll fill it out and we'll get it done in X period of time and you want to get it done. 331 00:36:56,920 --> 00:37:03,480 But there's no guarantees you're going to get it done in 90 days. Have you ever seen some of these 332 00:37:03,480 --> 00:37:12,920 things done, David, in 90 days as is promised? Yeah, no, only after over 95. They say priority 333 00:37:12,920 --> 00:37:21,240 is over 80, but no, priority is over 95. And like you talked before, if it's financially 334 00:37:22,360 --> 00:37:28,920 or they're on hospice, that's the only way you can expedite that. And we don't see that. 335 00:37:28,920 --> 00:37:35,800 Right? And like Carolyn was saying, it's a non-service connected pension with aid in attendance. 336 00:37:35,800 --> 00:37:41,960 And there's a lot of lawyer groups that are connected with financial advisors that go into 337 00:37:41,960 --> 00:37:49,800 assisted living homes and nursing homes. And they present this. They're like, okay, we'll do your 338 00:37:49,800 --> 00:37:59,240 claim. And then for a certain amount of money, I've seen flyers on that. And this is for a low-income 339 00:37:59,240 --> 00:38:06,120 vet, a low-income spouse. And then you're charging them to do a free claim, a free application to the 340 00:38:06,120 --> 00:38:15,480 VA, I think it's absurd. Well, we're being inundated with the advertising. I mean, especially, you 341 00:38:15,480 --> 00:38:21,480 know, how the AI works with Facebook and all the other things that are out there. So if you pause 342 00:38:21,480 --> 00:38:32,840 on one of those, I can get you 90% of what? If you don't have any disability. But, you know, 343 00:38:32,840 --> 00:38:36,840 as soon as you stop and look at that, the next thing you know is you're going to get 100 of those. 344 00:38:36,840 --> 00:38:41,880 And it's going to be different companies from all over the country, probably in all over the world. 345 00:38:41,880 --> 00:38:46,680 And somewhere going to be legit and some are not going to be legit. And I think that that's 346 00:38:46,680 --> 00:38:52,760 that's what we're kind of to convey here to our audience is that it is so important that you check 347 00:38:53,720 --> 00:38:59,640 on these organizations that you are, you know, you're thinking about working with. And you mentioned 348 00:38:59,640 --> 00:39:08,680 an organization called NOVA. What is NOVA, Caroline? It's a national organization of the 349 00:39:08,680 --> 00:39:16,200 attorneys out there. And they've got the board and they meet nationally, they have to meet 350 00:39:16,200 --> 00:39:22,440 a couple times a year. And all lawyers have to be certified, they have to get their accreditation. 351 00:39:22,440 --> 00:39:29,000 And their hours of service, just like the service, the organizations, when you're accredited, you 352 00:39:29,000 --> 00:39:38,040 have to get so many hours of education a year. And you've got to get your hours in your book 353 00:39:38,040 --> 00:39:44,200 learning so that you're keeping up on all the regs. And you have to you have to go to these 354 00:39:44,200 --> 00:39:49,640 conferences, you have to go to the meetings, you have to know all the federal learn about all the 355 00:39:49,640 --> 00:39:58,200 new federal regs that are coming in. And so those are the accreditation boards. David has the 356 00:39:58,200 --> 00:40:05,640 county counselors boards that I'm sure he goes to meetings a couple times a year. And we have a 357 00:40:05,640 --> 00:40:15,320 great board here in Michigan. I'm sure the the big meeting usually in June is coming up, I'm sure 358 00:40:15,320 --> 00:40:22,440 somewhere here in Michigan. And, and I know Christina, Christina Darrow, one of our attorneys, 359 00:40:23,320 --> 00:40:32,280 usually has been going out for years and speaking at that. So, you know, you just have to stay 360 00:40:32,280 --> 00:40:40,520 current with with your education and stay up on everything. So that's real important, Dale. 361 00:40:41,240 --> 00:40:46,360 Well, you know, you think about that all of the changes that have come have occurred in the last 362 00:40:46,360 --> 00:40:54,040 two years. And I'm sure that, you know, there's always people in there tweaking this or tweaking 363 00:40:54,040 --> 00:40:59,080 that. And, you know, I get all the veterans magazines and all the magazines in there have their 364 00:40:59,080 --> 00:41:04,520 legislative chairman is saying, well, this is what we're going to be trying to do this year. And, 365 00:41:05,080 --> 00:41:12,760 and so it's, it's really we as talking from the veteran side now are depending on, on folks like 366 00:41:12,760 --> 00:41:19,000 you and David and all the other VSOs and organizations that are out there to stay current 367 00:41:19,640 --> 00:41:26,040 with the laws and, and, you know, really help us because it's a, you know, it's a minefield out 368 00:41:26,040 --> 00:41:31,000 there that, you know, that you could get in, get yourself involved with. And you mentioned something 369 00:41:31,000 --> 00:41:37,320 David that I had not when you're talking about priorities, you said 80 and 90. Is that are those 370 00:41:37,320 --> 00:41:44,280 ages? Yeah, those are ages. Sorry. So, you know, it might be on the website, there's priority group, 371 00:41:44,280 --> 00:41:51,960 you know, for 85 years old. But with a pension, if everybody's applying at 85, there's no priority 372 00:41:51,960 --> 00:41:59,400 group really. So it's more like late 90s, you can get a priority, or if they're running out of money, 373 00:42:00,680 --> 00:42:06,840 or if they're health. So then you can, you can ask for something to be expedited. And 374 00:42:08,440 --> 00:42:13,960 with making those relationships at our conferences, like we go to the Michigan Association of 375 00:42:13,960 --> 00:42:21,480 County veteran counselors in the spring, we get local presenters from the Detroit regional office, 376 00:42:21,480 --> 00:42:30,280 from the Ann Arbor VA, all over the state, we had 150 VSOs at our conference. And then we do one in 377 00:42:30,280 --> 00:42:37,560 the national, where they pull the, they'll have the undersecretary of the VA, they'll have the person 378 00:42:37,560 --> 00:42:43,400 that is running the pension management center, the cemetery administration. So then we get a high level 379 00:42:44,360 --> 00:42:50,040 contact. And they're usually really good about giving their contact information. So 380 00:42:50,040 --> 00:42:57,160 it's just really beneficial when you go to a credit service officer or attorney that's accredited 381 00:42:57,160 --> 00:43:04,040 through the VA, because they have those contacts. And if something doesn't look right, then they can 382 00:43:04,040 --> 00:43:09,880 reach out to them and fix it before it's done. Right. So it's good. And, you know, the beautiful 383 00:43:09,880 --> 00:43:17,160 thing is the interfacing when, when I sat as the assistant agent in general for the state of Michigan, 384 00:43:17,160 --> 00:43:26,680 I would go to the directors meeting at the national level, they would pull in the state veteran home. 385 00:43:27,320 --> 00:43:32,600 And so you would meet with them, those individuals, you would meet with the county counselor, 386 00:43:33,240 --> 00:43:40,200 those leaders would come in and we would sit with the different leaders in those groups. And 387 00:43:40,200 --> 00:43:47,080 we would talk about the problems that the different groups were having. And we're all working together. 388 00:43:47,720 --> 00:43:54,360 We have the same rules. And we're trying to combine those issues to help our veterans. 389 00:43:55,640 --> 00:44:02,520 You know, we've got our state veterans homes. How many times do we talk about those issues, 390 00:44:02,520 --> 00:44:09,880 you know, trying to get our veterans in that in those homes, those veterans that might be homeless, 391 00:44:10,440 --> 00:44:19,080 those veterans that are all by themselves, helping them get some disability benefits. So I think it's 392 00:44:19,080 --> 00:44:27,480 really important to have sessions like we do Dale at veterans radio and to be communicating with our 393 00:44:27,480 --> 00:44:33,720 county counselors. I think that's really important. Well, I think there's just there's so many, 394 00:44:34,520 --> 00:44:41,080 there's so many rules and regulations and that that you, especially you two and all the other 395 00:44:41,080 --> 00:44:48,520 VSOs out there have to be aware of. And I'm thinking, you know, I'm not sure. So you I'll 396 00:44:48,520 --> 00:44:57,160 let you guys correct me on this, but you have access to some VA portal where you can follow the 397 00:44:57,160 --> 00:45:04,360 claims, correct? Correct. It's called the VBMS. So we can see the same things that the raters are 398 00:45:04,360 --> 00:45:10,840 seeing it at the VA. Okay. And is that something that requires your certification by the VA in 399 00:45:10,840 --> 00:45:16,840 order to go to look at that? That's correct. Yes. Yes. Okay. So that's I mean, that's that's what 400 00:45:16,840 --> 00:45:23,480 I was talking about. And so if we're talking to some Yahoo group out there, the claims that they can, 401 00:45:23,480 --> 00:45:28,440 you know, process your claim quicker, and they're not accredited, they're not going to be able to 402 00:45:28,440 --> 00:45:36,920 follow up on, you know, what the VA asked for. And I know with my claims, that the VSOs I've worked 403 00:45:36,920 --> 00:45:41,960 with have called me and said, Oh, Dale, they're going to be, you're going to get a letter that says 404 00:45:41,960 --> 00:45:50,200 you need this. And so that gets me to get that letter, you know, before I even get the letter, 405 00:45:50,200 --> 00:45:55,240 you know, I get all the information that is that is necessary. And that's what I wanted to really 406 00:45:55,240 --> 00:46:02,680 highlight today is to make to make sure that our audience is really aware that if you're filing a 407 00:46:02,680 --> 00:46:09,720 claim, no matter who it's with, to make sure that they are certified, because they have a definite 408 00:46:09,720 --> 00:46:16,760 advantage over some of these fly by night organizations that are out there that are claiming 409 00:46:16,760 --> 00:46:24,840 they can get your claim done in 90 days. Yes. Now, if you're, I mean, if there's there's certain 410 00:46:24,840 --> 00:46:31,880 diseases that they'll do it, right? ALS, they'll they'll get that done really fast. So there's 411 00:46:31,880 --> 00:46:37,560 there's there's conditions out there, or if you're terminal, they'll try to do their best and and 412 00:46:37,560 --> 00:46:48,040 then making those contacts at the regional offices and your local VSOs, that helps that county 413 00:46:48,040 --> 00:46:57,320 department or the lawyers that much, they can make it go that much faster just because knowing 414 00:46:57,320 --> 00:47:03,080 the contacts that you need to know in order to expedite a claim when when needed, you can't do 415 00:47:03,080 --> 00:47:08,680 everyone right. But no, but I'm thinking you were talking about all your conferences and 416 00:47:08,680 --> 00:47:13,080 you know, at those conferences, you get to talk to people from the VA and and you know, 417 00:47:13,080 --> 00:47:18,360 maybe you've had an acclaim that was a little more complicated than the usual and you say, 418 00:47:18,360 --> 00:47:24,280 well, what do I need to do with this? And I mean, you're talking to the to the source and they're 419 00:47:24,280 --> 00:47:29,320 saying, well, this is what you need to do. This is what we are looking for. Oh, definitely. And 420 00:47:29,320 --> 00:47:35,720 then you can reach out and say, well, I've had I have this one, I really need somebody higher than 421 00:47:35,720 --> 00:47:43,160 a normal person to look at it. And everybody I've asked that are running the show, they they 422 00:47:43,160 --> 00:47:49,400 they're definitely like send it to me and I'll look at it. And you explain the issues and it 423 00:47:49,400 --> 00:47:57,240 usually gets resolved fast. And you know what, it's it's helping one another to and it's not 424 00:47:57,240 --> 00:48:04,120 it's not saying, well, I'm not going to talk to David because he has the claim and I don't have it. 425 00:48:04,760 --> 00:48:12,920 And a good example is I got a call from United Way that there was a poor widow, her spouse died, 426 00:48:12,920 --> 00:48:22,680 and she's homeless, and they didn't know where to place her a female, and she was in dire need 427 00:48:22,680 --> 00:48:31,960 of getting some help. And she thought a claim was filed for something. Now, so in my head when 428 00:48:31,960 --> 00:48:38,280 they called and said, Can you please help your name came my name came up. So I worked through 429 00:48:38,280 --> 00:48:46,760 the process. She didn't she thought she had applied to some organization. So I started to work through 430 00:48:46,760 --> 00:48:55,880 my head. It was one of our VSOs. I called the VSO I thought she was referring to. She was so 431 00:48:59,320 --> 00:49:07,480 so lost. I felt so bad for her. Her husband just had passed like three weeks before she was all 432 00:49:07,480 --> 00:49:15,640 scrambled. This is the widow. So I was able to get in touch with the VSO. It was DIC. 433 00:49:15,640 --> 00:49:27,160 That they applied for they didn't realize how what a hardship she was in. So we were able to connect 434 00:49:27,160 --> 00:49:34,760 United Way was able to help her. So it was it was kind of beautiful because we put three 435 00:49:34,760 --> 00:49:44,680 organizations together to try to help this widow. So they were going to expedite the DIC claim 436 00:49:44,680 --> 00:49:54,200 because the DIC claim once it goes through, she would get money every single month if it went 437 00:49:54,200 --> 00:50:02,760 through as soon as it could go through. So that was a great thing. We didn't need to get it and 438 00:50:02,760 --> 00:50:08,840 say legal help for veterans got it. But we work together to get it processed. 439 00:50:08,840 --> 00:50:14,600 Well, I think that that's the other thing I wanted to point out to our audience is that 440 00:50:15,240 --> 00:50:20,200 all of these VSOs and the legal help for veterans organizations that you know, 441 00:50:21,080 --> 00:50:28,680 this is what they do. This is their passion. They want to help the veteran community get what 442 00:50:28,680 --> 00:50:33,240 they're entitled to. And they're not going to they don't worry about the money. They don't worry 443 00:50:33,240 --> 00:50:39,320 about funds, you know, and what their percentages and everything else would be on these things. 444 00:50:39,320 --> 00:50:46,920 So we encourage again, we encourage all of you out there, if you are having questions about 445 00:50:46,920 --> 00:50:53,160 benefits, what you may or may not be entitled to, I strongly encourage you to contact your local 446 00:50:53,160 --> 00:50:58,840 VSO, whether it be the county VSO, whether it's legal help for veterans, or all of the different 447 00:50:58,840 --> 00:51:05,720 veterans organizations out there usually have some sort of a VSO that's a veteran service officer 448 00:51:05,720 --> 00:51:10,840 for some other people. And they're there to help you. That's that's their whole purpose 449 00:51:11,880 --> 00:51:18,440 is to get you what you are entitled to. And it's a maze to get through it. And I think that it's 450 00:51:18,440 --> 00:51:25,240 so important that you contact these people. And if you have questions, we've got our two right here, 451 00:51:25,240 --> 00:51:29,880 we've got Caroline Fesson with legal help for veterans, we've got David Sames with the Washtenaw 452 00:51:29,880 --> 00:51:35,640 County VSO for those in the local area. And, you know, if you have questions, you can contact me 453 00:51:35,640 --> 00:51:43,080 my name second to my email dale at veterans radio dot org, or info at veterans radio dot org, 454 00:51:43,080 --> 00:51:48,280 and we will put you in touch with our VSOs. If you're listening elsewhere in the country, 455 00:51:48,280 --> 00:51:53,880 and you've got a great VSO that you're aware of, Minnesota, California, wherever it might be, 456 00:51:53,880 --> 00:51:59,320 let us know who they are. And we'll include them in our list of experts, and we'll get them on the 457 00:51:59,320 --> 00:52:06,200 program too. So I only have a minute to go. This is gone really quickly today. So I'm going to thank 458 00:52:06,200 --> 00:52:10,920 both of you. And if there's anything real quick that you want to ask, give you 10 seconds, anything 459 00:52:10,920 --> 00:52:18,440 you want to say. Just thank you very much. And have a great month. I can't believe it's June already. 460 00:52:18,440 --> 00:52:24,840 Same here. Have a great day and then reach out to your local service officer. Okay, they will do. 461 00:52:24,840 --> 00:52:31,240 All right. This program, we're going to end up with playing God bless America. And the version that 462 00:52:31,240 --> 00:52:38,920 I've chosen for today is Celine Dion. And it's just a beautiful version. And so, you know, this is 463 00:52:38,920 --> 00:52:43,880 important at this point in time in our history, I want you to pay attention to this song and the 464 00:52:43,880 --> 00:52:50,760 words in this song. So until next week, this is Dale Thrembry for Veterans Radio. You are dismissed. 465 00:54:13,880 --> 00:54:24,760 Oh, God bless America. 466 00:54:24,760 --> 00:54:37,640 Oh, God bless America. 467 00:54:37,640 --> 00:54:45,640 Oh, God bless America. 468 00:54:45,640 --> 00:54:56,520 Oh, God bless America. 469 00:54:56,520 --> 00:55:06,520 Oh, God bless America. 470 00:55:06,520 --> 00:55:17,400 Oh, God bless America. 471 00:55:17,400 --> 00:55:27,400 Oh, God bless America. 472 00:55:27,400 --> 00:55:38,280 Oh, God bless America. 473 00:55:38,280 --> 00:55:54,280 Oh, God bless America. 474 00:55:54,280 --> 00:56:05,160 Oh, God bless America. 475 00:56:05,160 --> 00:56:17,160 God bless America. 476 00:56:17,160 --> 00:56:28,040 Oh, God bless America.