| These little pieces of advice came to me while I was suggesting some things to lisnoire on another topic. If any of the other members have not done so already, I would strongly urge them to take their DD214's (discharge papers) and get them registered so that if they get misplaced you can get them replaced fairly quickly. And if you don't have 20 years in, or even if you have 20+ in, get to your local VA and apply. With all the changes that have been made over the years in regards to eligibility for VA healthcare benefits, it behooves you to get down there and find out if you are even eligible to receive them. It ain't automatic anymore. My dad served during Korea at Yokusuka, Japan, but due to the medical benefits the church had and has, he can't get into the VA program because the VA couldn't compete. However, he continues to try and get on, just in case the PTB relax the regs and he can be allowed in. Needless to say this doesn't really apply to those individuals that are on disabilities. For those who are disabled, keep checking with your health provider as to the level of your disability. They may re-evaluated it or the type of disability and either increase or decrease it depending on circumstances and other considerations. One of my uncles was receiving 30% due to a lung removal for TB during his time in service and after a number of years they finally re-evaluated him and increased it to a higher level (not sure how much higher) with a nice healthy back (to WWII) pay check. And not to sound morbid or such, but if you are planning to be buried at one of the National Cemeteries around the country, you need to get signed up for that as well, and the sooner the better. With land values going up in some areas (granted not many right now, but...), some of those cemeteries are running out of room and if you have not reserved space for you and your spouse (check on the spouse thing though, not 100% sure on that), when the time comes the cemetery may not have a spot for you. Biggest thing is to always keep on top of these things and don't let them slip through until the last minute. It can save you some serious change and quite a few headaches in the long run. And if anyone has any other suggestions that you might think of that aren't covered on the front page.... |
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| Good tips Orlah! On the National Cemeteries, if you and your spouse both served, if you wish to be buried at a National Cemetery, let them know you both served and want to be buried together and they will reserve the plot next to the deceased spouse for the future. |
 Active Military, Prior Service and Veteran's Anime Club do not forget the sound of my voice until the day we reunite |
Antalk said: That part I knew. It's whether or not a non-serving spouse is eligible or not. It seems to me that my mom is supposed to be getting a headstone next to my dad's when they pass away, and I know she didn't serve. Although until I took my dad on a Tiger Cruise, she had more sea time under her belt than he did!Good tips Orlah! On the National Cemeteries, if you and your spouse both served, if you wish to be buried at a National Cemetery, let them know you both served and want to be buried together and they will reserve the plot next to the deceased spouse for the future.  |
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| Yes she can be, but I think, and this is where members must inquire, they are buried either on top or behind and they share the same headstone. Her name would go on the backside. My sons school laid flowers on gravesites at the National Cemetery here in northern Ohio on Veterans Day. I went along and that was brought up because there were names on the backside of the markers; non-serving spouses. They were buried with the serving spouse, but there was something unique about the burial, I just don't remember. |
| Active Military, Prior Service and Veteran's Anime Club do not forget the sound of my voice until the day we reunite |
Ftom14cat said: What do you mean by get your DD214 registered? You simply go to the court house and talk to the clerk, same people who register marriages and birth certificates. It is normally free. |
| Also to all Veterans active and not I recommend joining either a VFW of The American Legion. I am a member of the American Legion post 225. They have a lot of info on Veterans Benefits as well as members who can help you with those benefits. Also get a VA ID card. It's real easy to do and is excepted at all VA facilities. Went to the Ann Arbor VA Hospital and they swiped the card and all my info popped up real handy. Most VA Clinics and VA Hospitals should be able to provide you with this ID |
| Sometimes you might run into places that will ask for proof. This way you send them a certified copy of the original and keep the original safely tucked away. |
Ftom14cat said: davismw2000 said: You simply go to the court house and talk to the clerk, same people who register marriages and birth certificates. It is normally free. So it's like a certified true copy that the court house keeps on file? That would be real handy compared to trying to get another one sent via your branch of service. I will definitely look into this, thank you. davismw2000 said: Like when you apply for a government job and you want the 5-point vet or 10-point disabled vet preference. Another suggestion is to take the certified copy to a professional print shop, have them make you a copy of it in PDF format and put it on a CD. This little step WILL cost you some money, but usually less than 20$ and worth the extra money when you apply for a federal job since most of those can only be applied for on-line through the USAjobs.gov website. Which has a free sign-up and you may store up to 5 resumes that are searchable by any gov't agency (meaning some agency may offer you a job) and any other electronic document you wish to save out there (driver's license, DD214, etc...). A very handy site.Sometimes you might run into places that will ask for proof. This way you send them a certified copy of the original and keep the original safely tucked away. davismw2000 said: As long as you have been accepted for care under the VA program. Like I said in my first post, it's not as automatic as it used to be. You have to apply to get accepted these days. And not everyone gets accepted. My uncle was and my dad wasn't and they were stationed across Tokyo Bay from each other at the same time. Go figure....Also get a VA ID card. It's real easy to do and is excepted at all VA facilities. Went to the Ann Arbor VA Hospital and they swiped the card and all my info popped up real handy. Most VA Clinics and VA Hospitals should be able to provide you with this ID |
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