VOLUNTEERS

Young and old and in between, helpful hands, warm hears, a desire to explore, learn and serve.

Recruit them…Support them… Listen to them…Appreciate them.

Recently I was going through some old paperwork and came across some information on volunteering in hospital programs and VA facilities. Both need our assistance so that they may continue to provide the best in health care and treatment for the sick or disabled veterans. Doctors and nurses are extremely busy applying the best of their knowledge. Our veterans need the personal warmth and friendliness that you as a volunteer can give them. As a volunteer you can assist the care team for hospitalized veterans in getting them well.

There is a constant need for volunteers in the VA Network of facilities, in hospitals, nursing homes, and at the VA outpatient clinics. Volunteers provide a service to the care and treatment of a veteran patient that cannot be furnished by paid staff.

There is a place for you in Voluntary Service if you wish to devote part of your time to the disabled men and women who served our country. You can help the staff of a VA hospital or clinic by doing office work, mailings, or willing to work as a member of the hospital team under the direction of the doctors, nurses, therapist, and technicians.

Volunteers do make the critical difference. If the VA system had to buy the kind of time and service that is donated by volunteers, the price tag would be above millions of dollars. Putting a dollar value on the volunteer’s involvement misses the meaning and intent of volunteering. Proof positive is the fact that people do care about what happens in the healthcare of our country’s veterans. 

The VA needs you, and millions like you as a volunteer. The programs need many volunteers whether they have special talents or not. Remember, you ARE special because you have the desire to volunteer.

If you are interested in putting the newsletter together and publishing the Calendar, contact Mary Steinbach 319-230-9318 mjonlyu@outlook.com.

We need a  volunteer to take over the publishing of the calendar and newsletter. If interested, contact Mary at 319-230-9318. 

Contact Carl Benning or Darrell Blasburg if you would like to be contacted for Honor Guard.

VETERANS DAY SERVICE

Waverly, Iowa

November 11, 2021

Waverly Area Veterans Post

1300 4^th St. NW Waverly, Ia. 50677

Waverly-Shell Rock High School Band will play at 10:40am

WELCOME

VFW Commander Don Ryan

Advancement of the Colors

American Legion, AMVETS, Marine Corps League, VFW

“Star Spangled Banner”

Waverly-Shell Rock Band

INVOCATION at 11:00 am

Chaplin Rich Miller

INTRODUCTION

VFW Commander Don Ryan

SPEAKER

Don Ryan 

BENEDICTION

Chaplin Rich Miller

TAPS

Jeff Franzen

RETIREMENT OF THE COLORS

American Legion, AMVETS, Marine Corps League, VFW

DISMISSAL

Those who wait also serve:

Navigating your VA Dependency and Survivor Benefits

As a dependent of an active-duty military member or dependent of a veteran, things are not always easy.

From awaiting the return of your loved one from deployment to the health and mental health challenges upon their exit from the military, many things can create significant barriers to leading a healthy and happy life.

Additionally, when a former military member passes away, the loss can be overwhelming as you experience the emotional and financial burdens that come with the loss of your loved one.

Family and friends are paramount during that time of grief with the barrage of calls and appointments to funeral directors, hospitals, government agencies, and non-profits to accomplish the dozens of tasks that present themselves at the time of their passing.

Luckily, there are plenty of people in those agencies that are tasked with making the process a little less overwhelming. One of those agencies, the veterans affairs office, is tasked to assist not only veterans but also their eligible dependents with any potential benefits they may be eligible for, even after the veteran’s death and regardless of whether the veteran was involved with the Veterans Administration prior to their death. Those benefits, ranging from monetary compensation, health care, property tax exemption, burial benefits, education, and life insurance can make a tremendous difference in your own well-being and financial livelihood.

Alas, not every dependent may be eligible for VA benefits for a myriad of reasons per federal and state laws. So how does one navigate the government red tape as a dependent or survivor of our former soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen or Guardians? The first step should be contacting your local VA office.

While it may be difficult to prepare for everything that life has to throw at us, knowing what may be available can certainly alleviate many of the stressors that present themselves before the need arises. Regardless of your particular situation, your local Veteran Service Officer can assist you in navigating your dependent and survivor benefits whether now or into the future.

Laws continue to change regularly and even those veterans or dependents who may have been denied benefits in the past may now be eligible and learning about the new programs available may make all the difference.

Those who wait also serve:

Navigating your VA Dependency and Survivor Benefits

As a dependent of an active-duty military member or dependent of a veteran, things are not always easy.

From awaiting the return of your loved one from deployment to the health and mental health challenges upon their exit from the military, many things can create significant barriers to leading a healthy and happy life.

Additionally, when a former military member passes away, the loss can be overwhelming as you experience the emotional and financial burdens that come with the loss of your loved one.

Family and friends are paramount during that time of grief with the barrage of calls and appointments to funeral directors, hospitals, government agencies, and non-profits to accomplish the dozens of tasks that present themselves at the time of their passing.

Luckily, there are plenty of people in those agencies that are tasked with making the process a little less overwhelming. One of those agencies, the veterans affairs office, is tasked to assist not only veterans but also their eligible dependents with any potential benefits they may be eligible for, even after the veteran’s death and regardless of whether the veteran was involved with the Veterans Administration prior to their death. Those benefits, ranging from monetary compensation, health care, property tax exemption, burial benefits, education, and life insurance can make a tremendous difference in your own well-being and financial livelihood.

Alas, not every dependent may be eligible for VA benefits for a myriad of reasons per federal and state laws. So how does one navigate the government red tape as a dependent or survivor of our former soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen or Guardians? The first step should be contacting your local VA office.

While it may be difficult to prepare for everything that life has to throw at us, knowing what may be available can certainly alleviate many of the stressors that present themselves before the need arises. Regardless of your particular situation, your local Veteran Service Officer can assist you in navigating your dependent and survivor benefits whether now or into the future.

Laws continue to change regularly and even those veterans or dependents who may have been denied benefits in the past may now be eligible and learning about the new programs available may make all the difference.

Membership

We are all vital pieces of the AMVETS “puzzle” that when put together, form a strong bond, coming together with a passion for our veterans, service members, and their families. We are an unstoppable forse when it come to this mission.

Growing our membership needs to be our #1 priority. Sure we have all heard the need to get the younger generation involved, but how? What programs or events are they looking for? What does the younger families need? It is time to “put our boots on the ground” and take action to get this done. 

Are we looking at our GOLD Star Families and inviting them to our meetings and to become members? Have we approached our AMVETS members for their spouses, daughters, sons, grandchildren to become Auxiliary members or Sons of AMVETS? Have we given the VA office information about AMVETS, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary, and Sons of AMVETS including the members application to be given to those veterans appying for benefits?

It can’t just stop there. We have to welcome them and their family to “Our AMVETS Family”. Assign prospective members to a seasoned member, mentor them, ask about their current needs, and nurture then in any way we can.

Acceptance is the road to all change!

Carry a membershp application with you at all times.

We are not only IOWA Strong, we are AMVETS Strong

Written by:

Mary Steinbach current local President of AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary #79 and Department of Iowa AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary 1st Vice President and membership chairman.

The National Convention for the AMVETS will be August 23-29 in Greeenboro, North Carolina. If you are interested to can get information on the National AMVETS website, the National AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Website, or the Sons of AMVETS National website.