December 2021 Veterans Chronicle

VETERANS CHRONICLE DECEMBER 2021

Wreaths to remember STORY ON PAGE 2

A veteran walks among the headstones decorated with wreaths at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery on Dec. 19, 2016.

JESSE TINSLEY/ THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

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Friday, December 17, 2021

The Spokesman-Review

VETERANS CHRONICLE

Wreaths Across America: Remember, honor, teach

By Ruth Aresvik

VETERANS HELP NET CORRESPONDENT

On the third Saturday in December, thousands of freshly grown Maine wreaths will be laid on the graves of veterans during the traditional Wreaths Across America. Their mission: REMEMBER our fallen U. S. veterans.

HONOR those who serve. TEACH your children the value of freedom. Their story, pulled from their website, is one of giving, kindness and true patriotic service.

Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, was a 12-year-old paper boy for the Bangor Daily News when he won a trip to Washington, D. C. His first trip to our nation's capital was one he would never forget, and Arlington National Cemetery made an unforgettable impression on him. This experience followed him throughout his life and successful career, reminding him that his good fortune was due, in large part, to the values of this nation and the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

In 1992, Worcester Wreath found themselves with a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. Remembering his boyhood experience in Arlington, Worcester realized he had an opportunity to honor our country's veterans. With the aid of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arrangements were made for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington in one of the older sections of the cemetery that had been receiving fewer visitors with each passing year.

As plans were underway, a number of other individuals and organizations stepped up to help.

James Prout, owner of the local trucking company Blue Bird Ranch, Inc., generously provided transportation all the way to Virginia. Volunteers from the local American Legion and VFW Posts gathered with members of the community to decorate each wreath with a red, hand-

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Courtney Weber, 6, carries a wreath to her grandmother Susan Weber, not shown, who helps decorate graves Dec. 19, 2016, at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America project. The nationwide movement allows veterans groups to raise money and get enough wreaths for their local cemetery. tied bow. Members of the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C. helped organize the wreath-laying, which included a special ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The annual tribute went on quietly for several years, until 2005, when a photo of the stones at Arlington, adorned with wreaths covered in snow, circulated around the internet. Suddenly, the project received national attention.

Thousands of requests poured in from all over the country from people wanting to help with Arlington or emulate the project in their own state.

Unable to donate to each state,

Worcester began sending seven wreaths to every state, one for each branch of the military, and for the POW/MIAs. In 2006, with the help of the Civil Air Patrol and other civic organizations, simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies were held at over 150 locations around the country. The Patriot Guardian Riders volunteered as escorts for the wreaths going to Arlington.

In 2007, the Worcester family, along with veterans and other groups, formed Wreaths Across America. The following year, over 300 locations held wreath-laying ceremonies in every state, Puerto Rico and

Over 24 overseas cemeteries.

100,000 wreaths were placed on veterans' graves. Over 60,000 volunteers participated, and that year, December 18, 2008, was unanimously voted by U. S. Congress as "Wreaths Across America Day." In 2020, a total of 1.7 million wreaths were placed at the final resting places of brave individuals who served our country.

The wreath is laid, the veteran's name is spoken aloud and presented with a salute.

This year, local ceremonies on Saturday, December 18 include Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake

(noon), and Pinegrove Cemetery in Rathdrum, Idaho (9 a.m.).

Wreaths Across America would not be successful without the help of volunteers, active organizations and the generosity of the trucking industry. All this support strengthens the mission to remember the men and women who served our country, honor our military and their families, and teach our children about our freedom and those who protect it. There are many ways you can help.

To learn more, go to www. w re a t h s a c ro s s a m e r i c a .o rg.

Wreaths can be purchased to honor a specific veteran and location.

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

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VETERANS CHRONICLE

Friday, December 17, 2021

OUR COMMUNITY’S ONLY NONPROFIT HOSPICE, SERVING PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES SINCE 1977.

A SUPPLEMENT TO THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW DEC. 17, 2021

VETERANS HELP NET Don Walker Bryan Bledsoe

on the third Friday of every month to increase awareness about veteran issues and to help veterans find hope and help.

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To share a veteran story or information about resources for veterans, please contact info@ veteranshelpnet.com or visit www.VeteransHelpNet.com.

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“AS MEDICAL DIRECTOR, I am honored to work with an amazing team of professionals, all focused on the same goal of helping each patient have the best life they can for as long as they have.”

– Dr. Brian Seppi MeDical Director

DIGNITY. RESPECT. COMPASSION. 509.456.0438 888-459-0438

IN THIS ISSUE

hospiceofspokane.org

VETERANS CHRONICLE DIRECTORY

Wreaths Across America.................................................................................2 Hey Veterans, Did You Know?.......................................................................4 Understanding the DD 214..............................................................................5 How Can I Get Help?.........................................................................................5 Afghanistan: How spouses, caregivers can support veterans with PTSD..................................................................6 Signs of depression...........................................................................................7 White House pledges to improve help for burn pit, toxic exposure illnesses...................................................................................8 Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier............................................9 Resources for veteran-owned small businesses......................................10 Nexus Letter FAQ..............................................................................................11 Spokane Vet Center..........................................................................................12

HEALTH SERVICES Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center 4815 N Assembly St Spokane WA, 99205 (509) 434-7000 www.spokane.va.gov

Hospice of Spokane 121 S Arthur St Spokane WA, 99202 (509) 456-0438 www.hospiceofspokane.org

BANKING & FINANCE Banner Bank (800) 272-9933 www.bannerbank.com

FURNITURE Lazyboy Furniture Gallery 10205 N Division St. Spokane WA, 99218 (509) 465-4380 www.lazyboy.com

END OF LIFE SERVICES Hennessey Valley Funeral Home 1315 N Pines Rd Spokane Valley, WA 99206 (509) 844-9709 www.henesseyvalley.com

REAL ESTATE Spokane Association of Realtors 1924 N Ash St Spokane WA, 99205 (509) 326-9222 www.spokanerealtor.com

VETERAN SERVICES Spokane County Veteran Services 1117 N Evergreen Rd Spokane Valley, WA 99216 (509) 477-3690

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VETERANS CHRONICLE

HEY VETERANS, DID YOU KNOW ...? … survivor and death benefits can be denied if Agent Orange is listed on a death certificate?

We mentioned last month that if a veteran passes away from COVID-19, family members should ask the individuals preparing the death certificate to list a veteran’s service-connected conditions as contributing causes of death, such as coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, etc. If the veteran is a Vietnam veteran, the VA recognizes these and other diseases as presumptive diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure.

Agent Orange itself should not be listed a contributing cause of death; only list the medical conditions linked to the exposure.

Visit https://www.va.gov/ agentorange to learn more about Agent Orange exposure and presumptive diseases.

… Vietnam veterans who have had a heart attack may qualify for VA benefits?

If the above applies to you, you may qualify for medical and disability benefits (a monthly check) through the VA. Ischemic heart disease is one of the 17 presumptive diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. Ischemic heart disease is characterized by a reduced supply of blood to the heart that leads to chest pain.

To find out more, contact a Veteran Service Officer; local contact information can be found in the “How Can I Get Help?” section of this publication.

… physical therapy and occupational therapy are offered at local VA facilities?

Jean Bledsoe is a retired RN and, while she knew a little about the benefits of physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT), she didn’t know

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Physical therapy and occupational therapy are available at local VA facilities. the full scope of what it could do to improve her life.

“I was referred to a physical therapist, and as she watched me painfully walk down the hall, she immediately gave me a new rolling walker with a seat and basket. She evaluated my spinal condition, came up with a plan, gave me some simple exercises along with some equipment, and said I needed OT in addition to PT and ordered it immediately,” Bledsoe said.

The occupational therapist evaluated her condition and concentrated on specific simple tasks that were difficult to perform with her hands, like holding silverware, picking up small items, buttoning clothes, due to

the loss of strength, feeling and flexibility in her hands. She was treated with ultrasound and paraffin wax.

“Each week I would see both the PT and OT where they reevaluated my progress and gave me additional exercises and things to help with my rehabilitation and to make my life easier. Eventually it was determined that I would need to see the hand surgeon at the VA and they set all of that in motion.”

When Bledsoe spoke with the OT team, they talked about helping stroke patients and amputees, and patients with chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. They assessed the veteran’s needs and home envi-

ronment, and provided devices, equipment and education to enable them to lead safer, more independent lives to the best of their abilities. They mentioned the work OTs do with clients with PTSD and other mental health issues and more.

Physical therapy and occupational therapy is offered at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane and at the North Idaho Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Coeur d’Alene.

What do you need to do? The first thing is to be eligible to receive care at the VA. If you aren’t already in the system, see the “How Can I Get Help?” section in this publication and select one

of the Veteran Service Officers to help you. If you are already enrolled in VA health care, ask your primary provider for a referral.

… VA has a schedule for rating disabilities for the various body systems?

The most recent revisions and updates are for the cardiovascular and genitourinary systems.

You can find detailed information regarding these new regulations along with others that have been revised since 2017 online at blogs.va.gov/ VAntage/97109/va-updatesdisability-rating-schedulesfor-genitourinary-andcardiovascular-systems/.

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

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VETERANS CHRONICLE

Understanding the DD Form 214

By Rudy Lopez

WASHINGTON VETERANS CEMETERY DIRECTOR

The DD Form 214 is a complete and thorough document that verifies a service member’s proof of military service. This Certificate of Release or Discharge form is issued through the Department of Defense and is typically issued at the final out-processing appointment prior to retirement or separation.

The DD214 document contains information required to verify the veteran’s time in service. Therefore, it is considered a vital piece of documentation since it is needed in order to obtain necessities such as benefits and retirement.

The information found on the form can also be used for the veteran’s future employment, membership in veteran organizations, or a proof of service for businesses offering military discounts.

It gives good insight into the veteran and his/her work history since it includes among other things, the service member’s: • Date and place of entry into active duty • Home address at time of entry • Military job specialty • Military education • Decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign awards • Last duty assignment and rank • Overseas service • Combat service • Separation information, including: • Type of separation • Character of service • Authority • Reason for separation • Separation and enlistment eligibility codes The form also provides a condition of discharge for

HOW CAN I GET HELP?

Every county and state has a Veteran Affairs office to answer questions about benefits and provide assistance. There are also other useful resources for veterans in the Inland Northwest.

GO ONLINE VA.gov

the service member. For example, the veteran may be given a status of honorable, general, other than honorable or bad conduct, which may be helpful to a potential employer or lender.

Additionally, the DD214 can also be used to gain access to an abundance of other benefits including home loans, GI benefits, funeral/cemetery accommodations and veteran affairs health care.

This is why it is crucial for every veteran to secure their DD214 form in a safe place so that they may gain quick access to it when the situation arises. If the form gets lost or misplaced, the service member or next of kin can request a copy through the National Personnel Records Center at the National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri.

Difference between long and short DD214 discharge forms

There are two versions of the DD214 issued by the government: • Short form (aka the deleted Form of Separation or edited Form of Separation) • Long form (aka the undeleted Form of Separation) The long form contains information about the service member’s character

of discharge, which could include information regarding the circumstances surrounding a discharge in a positive or negative light.

Government Agencies and employers often ask for the long form because discharge status is relevant.

1) Member 1 Copy is a shorter version of the Member 4 Copy 2) Service 2 Copy (long form) – sent to the military service (service member’s records); kept by the government 3) Copy 3 – sent to the VA 4) Member 4 Copy (long form) – is provided by the branch of service and given to the servicemember upon discharge (if requested, DD214 Box 30) 5) Copy 5 – sent to the Department of Labor (DOL) 6) Copy 6 – sent to the appropriate state VA office (if requested) 7) Copy 7 – Used in accordance with the appropriate service regulations 8) Copy 8 – Used in accordance with the appropriate service regulations 9) Copies 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 have blocks 25 (separation authority), 26 (separation code), and 27 (reentry code) redacted. These copies are also known as the short form.

For local help, refer to “How Can I Get Help?” in this publication.

The Department of Veterans Affairs website has resources on every topic relevant to veterans.

VA.gov/welcome-kit

The VA Welcome Guide

covers all types of benefits and services available for veterans, new recruits, active service members and their families.

DAV9.com

Based in Post Falls, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9 Fort Sherman shares links and information to both local and national help organizations for veterans.

Explore.VA.gov/benefitsnavigator Explore VA benefits and discover which ones you and your family may be eligible to receive.

IN PERSON

BY PHONE

1117 N. Evergreen Rd., Spokane Valley, WA (509) 477-3690 Apply for emergency services, or have any benefits or service questions answered by 5 Veteran Service Officers (VSO) and staff.

(509) 477-3690

Spokane County Regional Veteran Service

North Idaho Veteran Services and Benefits Office

120 E. Railroad Ave., Post Falls, ID (208) 446-1092 Meet with a VSO or staff for help with VA benefits enrollment, claims or other veteran needs.

Goodwill Support Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

130 E. Third Ave., Spokane, WA (509) 828-2449 SSVF helps homeless veterans and their families find housing and connects veterans with other support organizations.

Spokane County Regional Veteran Service North Idaho Veteran Services and Benefits Office 120 E. Railroad Ave., Post Falls, ID (208) 446-1092

Veteran Crisis Line

1 (800) 273-8255, press 1

North Idaho Crisis Center (208) 625-4884

Washington or Idaho 2-1-1

Dial “2-1-1” for health and human resources referrals.

If you don’t know who to call, VA has a new “Single Access Point” phone number to all VA contact centers 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411)

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The Spokesman-Review

VETERANS CHRONICLE

AFGHANISTAN: HOW SPOUSES, CAREGIVERS CAN SUPPORT VETERANS WITH PTSD

By Adam Stump

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS ADMINISTRATION

This is the third in a four-part series about Afghanistan veterans and how they can get help through VA. The third part of this series focuses on spouses and caregivers, who are often on the front lines of helping a veteran deal with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. PTSD can alter a family’s relationships. Family member reactions can include sympathy, negative feelings, avoidance, depression, anger, guilt and health problems. Dr. Jennifer Vasterling, the chief of psychology at the VA Boston Healthcare System and affiliated investigator with the National Center for PTSD, said figuring out how to help a family member with PTSD can be hard to know how to best approach.

“As a caregiver, you don’t want to tell somebody that they shouldn’t feel the way that they’re feeling,” Vasterling said. “It’s tempting. If you see someone you love that’s in pain, you want to say, ‘It’s okay. You shouldn’t be sad.’ It’s really hard for caregivers or loved ones to step back and say, ‘Okay, this person who I care very much about right now is super sad, and I’m going to be supportive, but I have to allow them to be sad.’”

‘Push us to get help’

Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramón “CZ” ColónLópez was a service member who deployed to Afghanistan.

He battled PTSD for years before his wife, Janet, helped him realize he needed treatment.

COURTESY OF WILLIAM PRATT

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ramon “CZ” Colon-Lopez, 4th Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, poses for his official portrait in the Army portrait studio at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Dec. 9, 2019.

He said he’s proof that a spouse or caregiver can help a veteran.

“Don’t let us get away with it,” he said. “Do what Janet did and push us to get help. Hell, drive us to the damn clinic. Do yourself a favor and go ahead and make sure you seek the help that you need.”

Helping veterans

Dr. Sonya Norman, director of the National Center for PTSD Consultation Program, said helping veterans deal with the range of emotions is an important step.

“The veteran needs to feel what they’re feeling,” Norman said. “One of the things I hear a lot from veterans is sometimes they want to talk about it, but they feel like they can’t because their loved one won’t understand, or they feel like the loved one will learn something about them that’s unforgivable.

They’ll see them in a totally different light.”

Some caregivers may not feel ready to hear about a particular issue, Norman said. But that’s normal, and when they are ready, she added, telling a veteran “I’m here to listen” while letting them know they are loved can spur a veteran to open up.

“Acknowledging that can be very helpful,” she said.

According to Norman, if a veteran isn’t willing to take that step to talk about difficult topics, just saying, “If you don’t want to talk about it, I’m here, loving you, too,” can help.

“We also hear a lot of veterans that are worried, especially if there’s guilt involved, say, ‘I don’t want to hurt another person. I don’t want to hurt this person by sharing my pain with them, and now they have my pain,’” Vasterling said. “But as the caregiver, you can say, ‘It’s okay. I’m here to share your pain.’”

PTSD can also affect children, who can mirror the veteran’s behavior or try to act like an adult. This can lead to a variety or problems: difficulty with school, sadness, anxiety and relationship problems.

Both Vasterling and Norman said getting veterans the help they need is important.

Critically, spouses and caregivers should know VA and other agencies are here to help.

Coaching Into Care

Coaching Into Care is a VA telephone-based service that assists family members and friends in having productive and supportive conversations about seeking mental health care with the veteran in their life. Topics include: • Recognizing the Signs:

https://www.mirecc.va.gov/ coaching/recognize-the-signs. asp • Tips for Family & Friends: https://www.mirecc.va.gov/ c o a c h i n g / t i p s - f o r- f a m i l yfriends.asp • Family and friends can reach Coaching Into Care call toll free at 1-888-823-7458, email CoachingIntoCare@ va.gov or visit http://www. mirecc.va.gov/coaching/.

Mobile apps and online resources

PTSD Family Coach, available at https://www.ptsd. va.gov/appvid/mobile/familycoach_app.asp, is an app similar to PTSD Coach. PTSD Family Coach provides support for concerned family members of those with PTSD. Features include: • Information about PTSD and how it affects those who care about someone with PTSD. • Tips to help families better support a loved one with PTSD – and themselves. The app includes information on how to find counseling.

• Facts about counseling for individuals or couples managing PTSD in a relationship.

• Tools to help family members manage stress.

• Self-created support network of people to connect with when in need.

The VA Caregiver Support program provides services to support family members who are taking care of a veteran, and can be reached by calling 1-855260-3274 or visiting http:// www.caregiver.va.gov/.

The Vet Center Combat Call Center is a 24/7 call center for combat veterans and their families to talk about their military experience or issues about readjustment to civilian

life. Call 1-877-WAR-VETS or visit http://www.vetcenter. va. g ov/me di a/Cal l - Ce n te rPSA.asp. Contact our local Spokane Vet Center at (509) 444-8387.

The Psychological Health Resource Center offers 24/7 support for service members and their families. Staff can answer questions about mental health symptoms and help the service members and their families find resources. Call 866-966-1020 or visit http:// www.pdhealth.mil/resources/ call- centers/psychologicalhealth-resource-center.

The National Resource Directory links to over 10,000 services and resources that support recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families and those who support them. Visit https://www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov/ for details.

Give an Hour is a nonprofit organization offering free mental health services to U.S. military personnel and their families affected by service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Visit http:// www.giveanhour.org/ for details.

Does this sound like someone you know? Get local help and find local resources in the “How Can I Get Help?” section in this publication.

Read the other parts in the series

Available online at blogs.

VA.gov/VAntage/92631 Part 1: Afghanistan: How Veterans can reconcile service Part 2: Afghanistan: How Veterans can learn from Vietnam Veterans Part 4: Afghanistan: Resources available for PTSD

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

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VETERANS CHRONICLE

If you or a veteran you know are experiencing depression, help is here

By Dr. Robert J. Fischer

VETERAN, SPOKANE VETERANS MEDICAL CENTER DIRECTOR

To my fellow veterans: I am personally reaching out to you because we want you to know that if you are a veteran experiencing emotional distress, hopelessness or have thoughts of hurting yourself, we really want to help you.

Your Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinics serve an area of 64,000 square miles (from Libby, Mont., to Wenatchee, Wash., and the Northern Idaho Panhandle in between). As you can imagine, it is very difficult to reach all veterans who need our help.

If you need help now or know of a veteran who may benefit from our help, the following services are available to you continuously, day or night.

Please contact the confidential Veterans Crisis Line if you are in crisis. The Veterans Crisis Line is available anytime by dialing 1-800-273-8255. You may also text 838255 or chat online at https:// www.veteranscrisisline.net/.

If you are interested in learning about the VA health care benefits you may qualify for as an enrolled veteran and where services are available, you may apply online at http://www. vets.gov/healthcare/apply/ or by phone 1-877-222-8387.

VA is available to complete applications by phone Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

Depression screening

The following questions are a screening focusing on symptoms of depression. If you feel these symptoms describe you or a veteran in your life, please call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1; visit

www.VeteransCrisisLine.net or send a text message to 838255 today.

1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things?

2.

Feel down, depressed or hopeless?

3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much?

4. Feel tired or have little energy?

5.

Have a poor appetite or overeating problems?

6. Feel bad about yourself, or that you are a failure or have let yourself down?

7. Have trouble concentrating on things such as reading the newspaper or watching television?

8. Move or speak so slowly that other people have noticed?

9.

Have thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself? (If yes to this question, seek help right away or call the Veterans Crisis Line at

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Support is available 24 hours a day for veterans experiencing emotional distress by calling Veterans Crisis Line.

1-800-273-8255.)

A private, online version of this screening is available at

https://www.myhealth.va.gov/ mhv-portal-web/depressionscreening.

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The Spokesman-Review

VETERANS CHRONICLE

White House pledges to improve disability help for veterans with burn pit, toxic exposure illnesses

By Patricia Kime MILITARY.COM

The Biden administration is moving to improve the disability claims process for veterans with illnesses linked to toxic exposure, such as respiratory disease and lung cancer, and make it easier for them to connect with specialists who can treat them.

On Thursday, Nov. 11, the White House and Department of Veterans Affairs announced several new initiatives for service members and vets affected by burn pits, industrial waste and other sources of toxic chemicals used in combat environments.

Senior administration officials said that the issue is "personal" for President Joe Biden.

Biden has said that the brain cancer that killed his son, former Army National Guard Maj. Beau Biden, may have been caused by burn pits – the open-air sites used to burn military waste in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"We have the sacred obligation to care for our women and men in uniform, especially when they come home with the wounds of war. Exposure to environmental hazards and other contaminants pose major health concerns for veterans of all generations," a senior White House staff member told reporters in a call the day before Veterans Day. The officials asked that they not be identified so they could freely discuss the efforts prior to a formal announcement Thursday.

Veterans with injuries and illnesses connected to their military service are eligible for medical care and disability compensation from the VA. But unless they have a condition that the VA has listed as officially linked, they must provide documents to support their claim that their illness is tied to serving in the military – claims that are then compared with recommen-

CPL. SAMUEL D. CORUM/U.S. MARINE CORPS

A soldier watches over the civilian fire fighters at the burn pit as smoke and flames rise into the night sky behind him at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, on May 25, 2007. dations by a national advisory board based on existing, often scant, research.

For many service members, such as Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Wesley Black, the changes come too late. Black, 36, died Nov. 7 of colon cancer that his physicians said was related to exposure to burn pits – cancer that was misdiagnosed at the VA as irritable bowel syndrome.

Black became an advocate for burn pit victims, working to get legislation passed in his state to raise awareness of the issue. He reached a $3 million settlement with the VA last summer, according to the West Lebanon Valley News.

"He used the tragic hand he was dealt as a platform from which to raise awareness about the harmful effects of burn pit exposure," Dan Perrone, one of Black's attorneys, wrote to the paper. "His heroics and advocacy have and undoubtedly will continue to save lives."

As part of the new efforts, the

VA may add new conditions to existing lists of service-related illnesses "when the evidence is strong" and also plans to reduce the burden of proof by not only comparing claims with findings by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, but also with VA research and evidence of prevalence of illnesses among VA patients and veterans receiving disability compensation.

"This is a radically different approach," a senior official said on the call with reporters. "Right now, the current process to evaluate an association for military environmental hazard is based primarily on the [National Academies]. What we are doing is saying that moving forward, we are broadening the aperture."

VA officials said they used the new method to designate asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis as illnesses caused by burn pit and air pollution exposure and therefore eligible for disability pay and health

care – a move it made in August.

According to the VA, the department is particularly interested in using the new process for claims for constrictive bronchiolitis, lung cancers and rare respiratory cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx or trachea and salivary gland-type tumors.

The VA also will launch a public awareness campaign, calling attention to a new hotline for veterans and physicians to learn more about military environmental exposures.

VET-HOME, the Veterans Exposure Team-Health Outcomes of Military Exposures line, to be introduced at some point in 2022, will provide information to veterans on the VA's Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Registry and the claims process.

It will provide referrals to medical specialists who are experts on pollution-related diseases and serve as a resource for affected

veterans' medical providers.

The administration plans to accelerate the timeline for rolling out a system for tracking service members' exposures throughout their military careers, known as the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record, currently slated to start in 2023, although officials did not provide a time frame.

And the administration will ask Congress to extend the period of eligibility for health care for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans from five years after military discharge to 10 years.

The officials noted that many environmental illnesses take years to develop.

More than 240,000 former service members have joined the VA's burn pit registry.

Prior to the announcement on the new presumptive diseases related to burn pits, 49% of veterans' claims for asthma, 55% of claims for sinusitis and 29% of those for rhinitis were rejected, according to the VA. Nearly 70% of claims for environmental cancers filed by 199091 Persian Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans also have been rejected.

Visiting Arlington National Cemetery with several veterans on Thursday, Nov. 11, Biden pledged to take care of veterans after their service.

"Our administration is going to meet the sacred obligations that we owe you. ... That means expanding presumptive conditions for toxic exposure and particulate matter, including burn pits and Agent Orange. We're going to keep pushing to be more nimble and responsive," he said.

For more information and information about Burn pit exposure and disability claims, visit https://www.publichealth. va.gov/exposures/ burnpits/ index.asp.

For local resources, see “How Can I Get Help?” in this publication.

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

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VETERANS CHRONICLE

Go behind the scenes to see what it takes to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

By Blake Stilwell MILITARY.COM

In most jobs, making one mistake would be no big deal. For the members of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) who stand watch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, one mistake might seem like the end of the world.

"It was a hot summer day in Arlington National Cemetery," Ethan Morse said in a video from a new series by AARP. "I was now a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I gave my weapon for the weapons inspection, and as soon as he took it, I could tell that something was wrong. I had just committed one of the biggest mistakes on the most hallowed ground in America."

Morse is a veteran and former guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but today, he is a filmmaker. He sat down with AARP, which celebrated National Veterans and Military Families Month with its latest series about U.S. military veterans, "Reporting for Duty."

Growing up on an upstate New York farm, Morse's dream was to make it big in the film industry, but a visit to Arlington National Cemetery changed his idea of what his future could hold. At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, he was overcome watching the tomb guards' perfection.

"I get emotional when I talk about it, because it was something I'd never seen before in my life," the

ASSOCIATED PRESS

A tomb guard of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” salutes during the changing of the guard during a centennial ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington National Cemetery, on Veterans Day on Nov. 11, 2021, in Arlington, Va.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

The dedication ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 1921.

Army veteran said. "Especially not back on the farm."

In March of 1921, Congress honored the sacrifices of World War I veterans who never came home. It decided to bring home the remains of one unidentified American soldier from the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France and honor them forever in Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

After lying in state for two days in the Capitol Rotunda, the soldier was interred in the tomb on what then was called Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1921. President Warren G. Harding officiated the ceremony.

Today it is a memorial for every unidentified service

member and contains the remains of one unknown from World War I, World War II and the Korean War. The unknown from the Vietnam War was later identified and moved out of the tomb.

When the United States was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, Morse joined the Army, putting his Hollywood dreams on hold. At basic training, he was recruited to go to Arlington, but he didn't go directly to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He underwent rigorous training to perform the ceremonies expected of The Old Guard.

After more than a year of training and casket-bearing duty, Morse was finally selected to guard the Tomb of the Unknown

Soldier.

Watch and listen as Morse describes the month of training that tomb sentinels undergo in preparation before they can walk the 21 steps behind the tomb. He also talks about the different platoons and elements that perform the ceremonies associated with burying America's fallen.

Finally, he talks about the "dos and don'ts" of visiting the tomb as well as guarding it – and what happens when a guard fails an inspection.

The video can be viewed online at https://youtu.be/ IG9o8FW1hdU. When it came time for Morse to leave the military, he finally went to California and became

“

I get emotional when I talk about it, because it was something I’d never seen before in my life.

Especially not back on the farm.”

Veteran Ethan Morse, former guard at the Tomb Speaking on first time seeing Arlington National Cemetery guards

the filmmaker he always wanted to be. One of his productions was a documentary series about the lives and mindsets of those who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

AARP provides veterans with free resources, important information, time-

ly programming and access to discounts to meet their unique needs on family caregiving, fraud/ scams, work and jobs, and accessing military service benefits. For information on these free resources and more, visit www.

AARP.org/Veterans.

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Friday, December 17, 2021

The Spokesman-Review

VETERANS CHRONICLE

HOW TO START A SMALL BUSINESS AS A VETERAN As a veteran, many of the skills you learned in the military can be especially helpful in running a business. The wide range of hard and soft skills you acquired through service can be transferred with great success to the private sector. Many veterans are doing just that.

According to the United States Small

Business Association (SBA), two and a half million businesses are run by veterans. Nearly one in 10 U.S. businesses are veteran-owned. They cover the entire range of business types: from professional and technical services to consulting, construction, consumer products and more.

Vets First Verification Program The Vets First Verification Program affords verified firms owned and controlled by veterans and service-disabled veterans the opportunity to compete for VA set asides.

The Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-461) provides the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with unique authority for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) set-aside and sole source contracts.

This procurement authority, and its subsequent implementation, is a logical extension of VA’s mission to care for our nation’s veterans. VA refers to this program as the Veterans First Contracting Program.

The Vets First Verification Program affords verified firms owned and controlled by veterans and service-disabled veterans the opportunity to compete for VA set asides. During verification, the Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) verifies SDVOSBs/ VOSBs according to the tenets found in Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 74 and 13 CFR Part 125 that address veteran eligibility, ownership, and control. In order to qualify for participation in the Veterans First Contracting Program, eligible SDVOSBs/ VOSBs must first be verified.

As part of the Verification Process, applicants move through four stages: Intake, Assessment, Federal Review, and Decision. For more information, visit https://www.va.gov/osdbu/verification/index.asp.

For local resources, see “How Can I Get Help?” on page 5 this publication.

While funding can be an obstacle for many new entrepreneurs, veterans have some advantages. Federal agencies are required to set aside a certain amount of funding for veterans. This is especially helpful, given that many veterans lack sufficient credit history to obtain funding from traditional sources like banks.

For more information and information about veteran-owned businesses, go to https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/veteran-owned-business-support/.

For local resources, see “How Can I Get Help?” on page 5 in this publication.

GETTING SUPPORT FOR YOUR VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

If you have a veteran-owned small business, you may qualify for advantages when bidding on government contracts – along with access to other resources and support – through the Vets First Verification Program. This program is run by the Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). Registering through OSDBU will allow you to work with other businesses who work with VA must be registered). Find out if you’re eligible and how to register your business.

Am I eligible to register my business as a veteran-owned small business (VOSB) through the Vets First Verification Program?

You may be eligible if you’re a veteran, and you or another veteran at your company meet all the following requirements: • One of you owns 51% or more of the company you want to register • One of you has full control over the day-today management, decision-making, and strategic policy of the business • One of you has the managerial experience needed to manage the business

• One of you is the highest-paid person in the company (or can provide a written statement explaining why your taking lower pay helps the business) • One of you works full time for the business • One of you holds the highest officer position in the company To be considered a veteran, at least one of these must be true: • You served on active duty with the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard for any length of time and didn’t

receive a dishonorable discharge • You served as a Reservist or member of the National Guard and were called to federal active duty or disabled from a disease or injury that started or got worse in the line of duty or while in training status • You may be eligible to register your business as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) if you meet all the requirements of a VOSB listed above, and either you or another veteran owner of the company meets at

least one of the requirements listed below: • A disability rating letter from us confirming that you have a service-connected disability rating between 0 and 100% • A disability determination from the Department of Defense For more about veteranowned businesses, visit w w w.v a . g o v/ c a r e e r s e m p l o y m e n t / ve t e r a n owned-business-support/.

For local help, see “How Can I Get Help” on page 5 of this publication.

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

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Friday, December 17, 2021

VETERANS CHRONICLE

What is a nexus letter?

This document can help establish that a medical condition is service-connected

If you have ever filed a claim with the VA for a medical condition that you believe was connected to your military service, you will probably be asked to provide a letter from a doctor that provides evidence that the condition was connected to their military service. In VA terms, this is called a “nexus letter.” It is the veteran’s responsibility to do the groundwork and obtain these nexus letters to submit with a claim.

Here are some frequently asked questions about nexus letters and how to obtain one.

What is a nexus letter?

A nexus letter is a letter from your physician detailing the connection between your current conditions and your military service. The connection could be directly to a military event or circumstance, or to another medical condition that occurred in service.

Do I need a nexus letter?

If you have strong evidence that your conditions are service-connected, then you probably do not need a nexus letter. You need a letter, however, if you are trying to prove that your condition is secondary to another service-connected condition or if you do not have strong proof of service-connection.

Who should write my letter?

The physician who knows your current conditions best should write your letter. Their opinion will hold the most sway since they thoroughly understand your conditions and history.

What if my doctor won't write one?

Often civilian physicians are a bit intimidated by the idea of writing a nexus letter simply because they are unfamiliar with the disability system. The best option after you meet with your physician is to send them a letter already written for them that they can then adjust as needed and sign. This helps them feel more confident and diminishes the amount of work they must put in. If your physician still won't write the letter, you may need

to seek out another physician.

When should I submit my letter?

A nexus letter is just like any other proof you may have for a claim. As such, it is very important to submit it right at the beginning along with your claim.

Submitting it later could result in it not being considered or delaying your claim.

If you obtained the letter after your claim was denied, you can submit it as new evidence along with your appeal.

What should my letter say?

Check out a sample letter (https:// militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/wpcontent/uploads/2020/02/NEXUS letter-sample.pdf ) for full details on the contents, but briefly, it should contain the doctor's name and credentials, the diagnosis and history of the condition, details on how the condition is connected to your military service, and a clear statement that the condition is “more likely than not” the result of your service.

Can I submit more than one letter?

Yes, if you have multiple medical professionals who are familiar with your conditions, you can submit a letter from each of them. Multiple opinions in your favor strengthen your case but are not always essential.

What if my claim is still denied?

While nexus letters can be helpful, they are not guarantees that the VA will grant your claim. If there is strong evidence that the condition could have developed in a way unrelated to your military service, then there simply may not be enough evidence in your favor. You could always try to appeal, submitting additional letters from other physicians along with evidence of medical research that supports your claim.

To find out more about filing a claim or getting a nexus letter, go to VA.GOV. For local resources, see “How Can I Get Help?” in this publication.

Refueling Our Heroes

Support fellow Veterans and be a part of Operation Fly Together.

Buy your flight gear or donate today!

A portion of all merchandise proceeds go into a Veterans Fund.

Operation FlyTogether.com

Page 12

Friday, December 17, 2021

The Spokesman-Review

VETERANS CHRONICLE

LIFE AFTER DEPLOYMENT ISN’T ALWAYS EASY

“

Spokane Vet Centers offers veterans support Vet Centers across the country provide a broad range of counseling, outreach, and referral services to combat veterans and their families. Vet Centers guide veterans and their families through many of the major adjustments in lifestyle that often occur after a veteran returns from combat.

Services for a veteran may include individual and group counseling in areas such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol and drug assessment, and suicide prevention referrals.

All services are free of cost and are strictly confidential.

Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible vet-

erans. Readjustment counseling is offered to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services. Vet Center counselors and outreach staff, many of whom are veterans themselves, are experienced and prepared to discuss the tragedies of war, loss, grief and transition after trauma.

Vet Center services are available to you at no cost, regardless of discharge character, and without you needing to be enrolled in VA health care or having a service-connected disability. If you are a veteran or service member, including members of the Na-

It’s like being “home” without the family drama! I love you guys.” tional Guard and Reserve, you can access our services if you: • Served on active military duty in any combat theater or area of hostility.

• Experienced military sexual trauma (regardless of gender or service era).

• Provided mortuary services or direct emergent medical care to treat the casualties of war while serving on active military duty.

• Performed as a member of an unmanned aerial vehicle crew that provided direct support to operations in a combat theater or area of hostility.

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• Accessed care at a Vet Center prior to Jan. 2, 2013, as a Vietnam-Era veteran.

• Served on active military duty in response to a national emergency or major disaster declared by the president, or under orders of the governor or chief executive of a state in response to a disaster or civil disorder in that state.

• Are a current or former member of the Coast Guard who participated in a drug interdiction operation, regardless of the location.

Vet Center services are also

13109 E Mirabeau Parkway Spokane, WA 99216 Phone: (509) 444-8387 Fax: (509) 444-8388

We’re currently open for limited in-person service, and screening all visitors for symptoms, due to COVID-19. Please call ahead to confirm hours. For individual and group counseling, we recommend using telehealth services. If you need to speak with someone confidentially, please call us anytime at (877) 927-8387.

provided to family members of veterans and Service members for military-related issues when they aid in the readjustment of those who have served. This includes bereavement counseling for families who experience an active-duty death.

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