May 2021 Veterans Chronicles

VETERANS CHRONICLE MAY 21, 2021

Remembering their service and sacrifice Memorial Day marks time for honor and gratitude

Heidi Hannah hugs her sons Tomas, 10, left, and Lucas, 8, right, during a Memorial Day visit to the grave of her oldest son, Army Specialist Taylor Hannah, at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, Calif., on May 25, 2020.

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VETERANS CHRONICLE VETERANS CHRONICLE A SUPPLEMENT TO THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW MAY 21, 2021

VETERANS HELP NET Don Walker Bryan Bledsoe MANAGING EDITOR Theresa Tanner ART DIRECTOR Anne Potter DIRECTOR OF SALES Scott Baumbach

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

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

For advertising information, please contact advertising@ spokesman.com or (509) 4595095.

No portion of this magazine may

Veterans Help Net partners be reproduced in whole or in part with The Spokesman-Review to without written consent of the publish Veterans Chronicle on publisher.

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A young man bows his head to pay his respect at the grave of a fallen soldier during the Memorial Day observance at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, on May 25, 2020.

IN THIS ISSUE VA working to expand capacity for vaccinations......................................3

Hey Veterans, Did You Know?.........................................................................4

Qualifying for service-connected disability.................................................5

Red poppies a reminder to honor the fallen...............................................6

The history of Arlington National Cemetery...............................................7

How do I arrange a burial at a veterans cemetery?..................................8

Military children qualify for a variety of VA benefits..............................10

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

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VETERANS CHRONICLE

VA WORKING TO EXPAND CAPACITY FOR VACCINATIONS More than 24 million veterans, spouses or caregivers eligible through VA system

By Patricia Kime MILITARY.COM

The Department of Veterans Affairs is working to expand its capacity to vaccinate more than 24 million veterans, their spouses or caregivers.

In his first hearing before the House Veterans Affairs Committee Thursday, March 25, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said the department is “building out capacity” to ensure that it can meet reporting requirements and accommodate a fourfold increase in the number of veterans eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine at the VA. President Joe Biden signed the SAVE LIVES Act Wednesday, March 24, which allows VA to vaccinate all veterans, veteran spouses, caregivers and Civilian Health and Medical Program recipients, regardless of VA eligibility.

But VA leaders want to ensure they have the resources to vaccinate all veterans and non-veterans who are enrolled, and are working to determine how they can get more doses.

“The longest pole in the tent is supply.

We are consuming the supply as soon as we get it, and so we are very focused on May 1 to begin the period when everybody can access the system,” McDonough said.

As of March 25, VA had administered 3,851,556 doses to veterans and employees and has vaccinated nearly 1.6 million individuals fully.

Under the new law, veterans enrolled in VA care will continue to get priority, but the vaccine will be made available to veterans who haven’t gotten it elsewhere.

VA currently receives roughly 200,000 doses of vaccine each week in the Pfizer and Moderna variants, and estimates it will need at least 100,000 additional doses per week to expand vaccinations to the 3 million veterans who are enrolled in VA health care, but don’t use the system.

It will need an additional 300,000 vaccines on top of that to expand coverage to everyone eligible under the new law.

McDonough recommended that veterans reach out to their VA medical centers to learn about vaccine eligibility and distribution. The VA announced that it is

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U.S. Army veteran Gene Moy, 103, of Seattle, receives the second shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination Feb. 23 from Levone Walton, right, a nurse at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System campus. rolling out pilot programs at select medical centers through the end of April to work out its processes for vaccinating nonenrolled individuals.

The secretary said the department would be “very concise and exceedingly aggressive” in its execution of the law, and added that VA will launch an aggressive awareness campaign to inform veterans of this new benefit. That campaign will include mail and email campaigns, social media posts and outreach through veterans service organizations.

The department plans to use VEText, a program to reach former service members.

“VEText has worked exceedingly well with vets of every generation. There’s some sense that older veterans are not tech savvy in this way. This is not what we are experiencing with VEText. It’s been a very effective tool,” McDonough said.

As of April 28, VA has recorded 253,762 cases of the coronavirus among veterans, employees and other patients in the department’s system since the beginning of the pandemic. These numbers do not include spouses and caregivers. To date, 11,752 have died.

Roughly 9% of the U.S. population, or 30.1 million people, have tested positive for COVID since the outbreak began, according to Johns Hopkins University.

This article, originally published March 26, 2021, has been updated with current available data.

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VETERANS CHRONICLE

HEY VETERANS, DID YOU KNOW … ?

… How Memorial Day began?

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day to remember those who have died in our nation's service. After the Civil War, many people in the North and South decorated graves of fallen soldiers with flowers.

In the spring of 1866, Henry C. Welles, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, New York, suggested that the patriots who had died in the Civil War should be honored by decorating their graves. General John B. Murray, Seneca County Clerk, embraced the idea and a committee was formed to plan a day devoted to honoring the dead.

Townspeople made wreaths, crosses and bouquets for each veteran's grave. The village was decorated with flags at half-mast.

On May 5, a processional was held to the town's cemeteries, led by veterans. The town observed this day of remembrance on May 5 of the following year as well.

Decoration Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by General John Logan in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed officially on May 30, 1868. In 1882, the name was changed to Memorial Day, and soldiers who had died in other wars were also honored.

In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be held on the last Monday in May. Today, Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season in the United States. It is still a time to remember those who have passed on, whether in war or otherwise. It also is a time for families to get together for picnics, ball games, and other early summer activities.

Information courtesy of Idaho Division of Veteran Services.

… America didn’t have an official anthem until 1931?

The words of "The Star-Spangled Banner" were first written on September 14, 1814, by Francis Scott Key as a poem titled, "The Defense of Fort McHenry." Key, a lawyer and an amateur poet, was being detained on a British warship during the British naval bombardment of Baltimore's Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. When the bombardment subsided and Key witnessed that Fort McHenry was still flying its huge American flag, he began writing his poem. Key recommended that his poem be sung as a song to the popular British tune "To Anacreon in Heaven." It soon became known as "The Star-Spangled Banner."

"The Star-Spangled Banner" was published in a number of newspapers at the

LIBBY KAMROWSKI/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

A classic car near the end of a vehicle parade through Riverside Memorial Park catches up to other classic cars on Memorial Day in 2020 in Spokane. time. By the Civil War it had become one of the most popular patriotic songs of the United States. By the late 19th century, "The Star-Spangled Banner" had become the official song of the U.S. military.

On Nov. 3, 1929, Robert L. Ripley ran a panel in his syndicated cartoon " Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” stating America has no national anthem. Americans were shocked and wrote 5 million letters to Congress demanding Congress proclaim a national anthem.

On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed an act that officially made "The Star-Spangled Banner" the national anthem for the United States.

Information courtesy of Idaho Division of Veteran Services.

… COVID-19 vaccinations are available at Mann-Grandstaff VAMC in Spokane?

The Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane is currently offering the COVID vaccinations to all veterans currently enrolled for VA care. Vaccinations are now available to veterans and their spouses, caregivers and some beneficiaries, regard-

less of VA health care enrollment, through the recently passed SAVE LIVES Act. To make a vaccination appointment, call (509) 434-7979 or visit www.spokane. va.gov/services/covid-19-vaccines.asp.

… There are new rules for VA home loans for Reserve and National Guard members?

National Guard members without active-duty service will be eligible to receive a VA home loan beginning in 2021. The new law makes Guard and Reserve members who have at least 90 days of service eligible for the home loan program; 30 service days must have been consecutive.

Currently, only Guard and Reserve members who had at least 90 days of active service are eligible for home loans.

Need more information? Check with your unit personnel office or contact one of the resources found in the “How Can I Get Help?” on page 5.

… Survivors of deceased veterans can receive benefits?

Surviving spouses and certain family

members of deceased veterans may be eligible to receive two kinds of benefits from the VA. A VA Survivors Pension offers monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits set by Congress.

If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC).

Be sure the person that signs the veteran’s death certificate (at the funeral home or a medical person at a hospital) is aware of all service-connected disabilities that could have caused or contributed to the veteran’s death. This is crucial in securing the appropriate benefits for survivors.

To get additional information or help applying for these benefits, visit www.va.gov/ family-member-benefits/ or seek help for the resources listed in the “How Can I Get Help” on page 5.

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VETERANS CHRONICLE

Do I qualify for service-connected disability compensation from VA?

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 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 ASSOCIATED PRESS

The seal affixed to the front of the Department of Veterans Affairs building in Washington, D.C., in this June 21, 2013, photo.

Establishing service connection is an essential step in a VA disability claim.

Service connection means that a medical condition occurred as a result of military service.

While service connection might seem straightforward, each VA disability claim is unique. Some veterans will experience circumstances that might not make the path to service connection as clear. We’re breaking down some of these possibilities here.

What does the VA require for service connection?

When establishing service connection, the VA requires three pieces to come together: • You have a diagnosed disability • You experienced an in-service incident, injury, or illness • You have a medical nexus connecting the disability to the in-service incident, injury, or illness Let’s consider the example of depression. If your medical provider diagnosed you with depression and confirmed that the mental illness was "more likely than not" caused by an in-service event, you likely qualify for service connection.

However, you want to make sure you read your doctor’s statement carefully.

The wording of the medical nexus could

make or break your claim.

It’s also important to note that if you originally applied for disability benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a medical provider ended up diagnosing you with depression, you should still be able to obtain service connection for your depression.

Are medical discharge and service connection related?

Some veterans may wonder if medical discharge establishes service connection.

And in many cases, it does. However, you still need to file a claim for VA disability benefits.

For example, a veteran may have been medically discharged from the military for a traumatic brain injury (TBI). If the veteran has a current diagnosis of a TBI and is experiencing the effects of the injury, they would likely qualify for service connection.

Remember, they would still need to file a claim. The VA may require medical evidence and a C&P exam to confirm service connection. And if the VA ends up denying this claim, the veteran may consider appealing.

Have questions about applying for service-connection disability? See, at right, our “How Can I Get Help” graphic.

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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VETERANS CHRONICLE

LEST WE FORGET: RED POPPIES A REMINDER TO HONOR FALLEN, SUPPORT THE LIVING

By Ruth Aresvik

VETERANS HELP NET CORRESPONDENT

COURTESY PHOTOS

ABOVE: Poppy Girls Carla and Lori Mogensen with their mother Maxine in 1965.

BELOW: Poppy Girls Dawna and Vicky Mogensen with Ralph Peters, American Legion Post #46, Jerome, Idaho, in 1966.

I never got to be a Poppy Girl. Again, in capital letters: A POPPY GIRL. To me, it was that important.

I was so jealous of my four younger sisters. They got to wear flowery homemade dresses and hats, styled by our mama.

They got to go to the Legion meetings with my dad, the Commander, and carry baskets of red crepe paper poppies. Red was my favorite color! They got to go to other assorted meetings throughout the town of Jerome; sing a song composed by mama and recite the poem "In Flanders Fields." They got their picture in the newspaper. Sigh. They were young and cute and did a good job.

After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe. Scientists attributed the growth to soils in France and Belgium becoming enriched with lime from the rubble left by the war. From the dirt and mud grew a beautiful red poppy. The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed during battle following the publication of the wartime poem “In Flanders Fields,” written by Canadian physician Lt. Col. John McCrae. He was inspired to write it on May 3, 1915, after presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Alexis Helmer, who died during the Second Battle of Ypres.

On Sept. 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of The American Legion family as a Remembrance Day symbol to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during the war. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program, generally led by the American Legion Auxiliary.

Each year, members of The American Legion Family distribute poppies with a request that the person receiving the flower make a donation. All donations stay within the community to support the needs of veterans and active-duty military personnel.

Poppy Day is celebrated in countries around the world. The American Legion brought National Poppy Day® to the United States by asking Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day. It's true that I never got to be a Poppy

Girl. But I have an old faded red crepe paper poppy hanging from my car rearview mirror. It's to honor the fallen. It's to support the living. It's a REMEMBRANCE, in capital letters.

In Flanders Fields

BY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

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Arlington National Cemetery: Then and now

By Ruth Aresvik

VETERANS HELP NET CORRESPONDENT

It's about 3 p.m. on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery. When burials are finished for the day, trucks bring out big wooden crates and drop them off at various stations. The crates are full of small flags – over 270,000 – the wooden sticks still muddy from last year.

The flags have a sharp point on top and are pushed into the ground by hand, about a foot away from the front of each headstone. Members of the 3rd U. S. Infantry, the Old Guard, conduct this somber all-day operation.

Now it's about 6 p.m. An officer hears the faint notes of a bugle and calls his company to attention. Taps is being played as part of a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The soldiers stand at attention in respect. This is hallowed ground. This is 624 acres of the most famous of all American military cemeteries.

The Old Guard completes their mission. They will return the following day to retrieve the flags and put them into storage for next year.

Arlington National Cemetery, on a hilltop overlooking the Potomac River and Washington, D.C., is built on plantation land that once belonged to George Washington Parke Custis, grandson of Martha Washington and step-grandson of President George Washington. At the age of 21, Curtis inherited the 1,100acre plantation from his father in 1802. He built Custis Mansion, now known as Arlington House, an Greek Revival-style mansion on the property, as a tribute to George Washington and filled the home with many of Washington's belongings.

In 1857, Custis willed the property to his daughter, Mary Anna. Mary became the wife of Robert E. Lee, then a military officer in the U.S. Army. Lee took

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Wearing a face mask, a member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment also known as The Old Guard, walks among headstones during “Flags-In” at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on May 21, 2020, to honor the Nation’s fallen military heroes. command of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia at the onset of the Civil War in 1861 and vacated the property that spring as Union troops advanced into the Virginia hills outside of Washington.

The Union Army used the land and house as a camp and headquarters. In 1864, when Mary Anna, who used a wheelchair, sent a representative to pay a $92.07 tax bill instead of appearing personally, the government seized the property. With the Civil War entering its third year, fatalities began to outpace burial capacity in area cemeteries. To

address the problem, Arlington was designated a national military cemetery.

Private William Christman of Pennsylvania was the first military service member to be buried at Arlington on May 13, 1864. Christman was a farmer, newly recruited into the Army.

He contracted the measles and died several days later of complications before ever going into combat. Approximately 16,000 Civil War soldiers are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

More than 420,000 people have been buried at Arlington, the only national cemetery to

hold service members from every war in U.S. history. The most visited areas in the cemetery are the gravesite and eternal flame of President John F. Kennedy, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which celebrates its centennial this year. More than three million people visit Arlington National Cemetery annually.

An average of 25 U.S. service members or relatives are buried at Arlington each day. The cemetery, which has gone through several expansions through the years, now spans roughly one square mile. The Millennium

Expansion Project, started in 2014, added 27 acres and roughly 30,000 additional burial plots to the cemetery. This expansion, the first of the cemetery space in nearly 40 years, cost around $81.7 million. Even with the expansion, Arlington National Cemetery is expected to reach capacity by the 2040s.

Information on eligibility for burial in Arlington National Cemetery can be found at www. arlingtoncemetery.net/eligb. htm. For information regarding the Tomb centennial celebration, visit www.tombguard.org/ news/centennial.

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How do I arrange a burial at a veterans cemetery?

Eligibility for pre-need burial determination

By Rudy Lopez

DIRECTOR, WASHINGTON STATE VETERANS CEMETERY MEDICAL LAKE

Many people would like to know, in advance, whether they are eligible for burial in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery or State Veterans Cemetery.

To assist them, VA and WDVA provide preneed eligibility determinations for burial in a National or the State Veterans Cemetery prior to the time of need to assist veterans and their families with end-of-life planning.

Planning in advance for a veteran's or loved one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays, particularly if they do not have discharge documents, and reduces stress on a family at an extremely difficult time. Veteran families will have increased confidence and peace of mind that their loved ones are eligible for burial in a veteran cemetery at their time of need. Having an eligibility determination in advance will help veterans use the benefits they have earned for themselves and for families.

Once eligibility is determined, veterans and eligible family members will be entitled to some or all of the following at minimal or no cost: • Burial in any open VA National Cemetery or Washington State Veterans Cemetery Medical Lake, including opening and closing of the grave • Grave liner (casket burials) • Perpetual care of the gravesite • Government-furnished upright headstone, flat marker or niche cover (cemetery procures) • Burial flag, provided by

LIBBY KAMROWSKI/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Fairchild Air Force Base Honor Guard members conduct a flag folding ceremony during a Memorial Day Remembrance at the State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, Wash. on May 27, 2019. The flag was then presented to Dee Belzer, the sister of fallen serviceman Luke Conley, after Taps was played with a three volley salute. the funeral home or available via U.S. Post Offices with a VA Form 27-2008 (we recommend calling your local Post Office to verify flag availability) • Presidential Memorial Certificate(s), VA Form 40-0247 Note: There is a $300 interment fee for family members interred at the State Veterans Cemetery.

Eligibility for burial in a national cemetery or Washington State Veterans Cemetery Medical Lake include: • Members of the armed forces; or

• Veterans who have met minimum active-duty service requirements as applicable by law and who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable • Members of the reserve components of the armed forces are also eligible, provided they: • Died while on active duty under certain circumstances, or while on training duty; • Have 20 years of service creditable for retired pay; or • Were called to active duty and served the full term of ser-

vice.

The veteran's spouse, minor children and, under certain conditions, dependent unmarried adult children are eligible for burial even if they predecease the eligible veteran. Couples are placed together in the same ground plot or niche.

Applying for burial eligibility

Veterans and their spouses are encouraged to apply for a pre-need burial eligibility determination. Authorized representatives may also apply on

behalf of eligible claimants.

To apply for burial in a VA National Cemetery, submit: • National Cemeteries - Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery (VA Form 40-10007) • Proof of military service, such as a DD Form 214(s), if available (VA will attempt to locate documents that the veteran or eligible party cannot locate) Information can be submitted to the VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office through:

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VETERANS CHRONICLE For more information

Additional information about the VA Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility Program is available on the VA website at www.va.gov/ burials-memorials/pre-need-eligibility/. Washington residents can contact the Washington State Veterans Cemetery at (509) 299-6280, or visit www.dva.wa.gov/veterans-their-families/cemetery.

• Fax: (855) 840-8299 (this is a toll-free number) • Mail: NCSO, P.O. Box 510543, St. Louis, Missouri, 63151 To apply for burial in Washington State Veterans Cemetery Medical Lake, submit: • WDVA Preregistration Application (available at hwww. dva.wa.gov/veterans-their-families/cemetery) • Proof of military service, such as a DD Form 214(s), if available (VA will attempt to locate documents that the Veteran or eligible party cannot locate) • A marriage certificate to qualify a spouse • Power of Attorney or Guardianship documentation, if applicable Information can be submitted to the Washington State Veterans Cemetery through: • Fax: (509) 299-6286 • Mail: 21702 W Espanola Rd, Medical Lake, WA 99022 • Email: cemetery@dva. wa.gov Individuals do not need preneed burial determinations to be eligible at the time of need, however it is recommended. A pre-need application establishes a case file with the necessary documents (DD214, Marriage Certificate, etc.) that otherwise may be incomplete, damaged, illegible or not readily available at the time of passing. The preneed process allows the family and cemetery staff to work through these types of issues in advance.

The National Personnel Records Center is currently closed due to COVID-19 exposures, delaying records retrieval. VA and WDVA recognize life situations may change. An eligibility determination is not contractually binding. Families may can-

cel pre-need applications at any time without obligation.

What to expect after applying

VA or WDVA will review pre-need burial applications and provide written notice of a determination of eligibility. VA or WDVA will save the information electronically for future reference and to expedite processing burial claims at the time of need.

Applicants should save a copy of all documents submitted and the decision letter received. It is also a good idea to communicate with one’s loved ones or estate planners where the documents are, and about the preference to be buried in a VA national cemetery.

At the time of need

At the eligible party’s time of death, the family or personal representative should contact VA at 800-535-1117 or WDVA at 509-299-6280 to request burial assistance. VA or WDVA will confirm the pre-need eligibility determination and schedule the burial.

Because laws and personal circumstances change, VA or WDVA will validate the preneed decision using the laws in effect at the time VA or WDVA receives the burial request, and will also check for any bars to receipt of the burial benefit.

Please note that applicants may indicate a preference for a VA national cemetery on the application form, but a preneed determination of eligibility does not guarantee burial in a specific VA national cemetery or a specific gravesite.

Gravesites are assigned in cemeteries with available space once death has occurred and the burial is scheduled.

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Military children qualify for variety of VA benefits

By Michael Frueh

PRINCIPAL DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY FOR BENEFITS, VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

Every April, the nation celebrates the Month of the Military Child – a time that honors all military children for their dedication and sacrifices. At VA, we honor military children yearround by providing them earned benefits. Dependents and surviving children of veterans and service members may qualify for certain benefits, such as life insurance, education services and health care.

Dependent children may qualify for Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) coverage if the service member is on active duty and covered by full-time Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) or is a member of the National Guard or Ready Reserve and covered by full-time SGLI. There is no cost for coverage up to $10,000 for each dependent child. Beneficiaries of a veteran’s or service member’s policy can also receive free financial planning and online will preparation services.

Education benefits

ASSOCIATED PRESS

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Vernisa Pope stands with her children after she surprised them before a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies in Chicago, Saturday, July 25, 2015. Pope returned home from a yearlong tour in Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Dependent children, using benefits transferred by an eligible veteran or service member, qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefit for up to 36 months to help pay for school or training.

VA may also be able to help pay for school or job training through the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education and Assistance (DEA) Program (Chapter 35). Additionally, DEA offers monthly payments to help cover the cost of degrees, certificates, correspondence courses and apprenticeships for children between the ages of 18 and 26 of a veteran or service member.

Children of a parent who died in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, may be eligible to apply for the Marine Gunnery

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VETERANS CHRONICLE Children watch performers during a parade ahead of the Military Bowl NCAA college football game between Temple and North Carolina, on Dec. 27, 2019, in Annapolis, Md. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship), which offers money for tuition, housing, books and supplies.

Survivors benefits

Unmarried adult dependent children and minor dependent children can apply for burial in a VA national cemetery even if the service member or veteran has already passed away.

Eligible dependent children may also qualify for grief counseling and transition support.

Unmarried dependent children of deceased wartime veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits set by Congress may qualify for monthly payments through VA’s Survivors Pension program.

VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit available to surviving children of service members who died in the line of duty or veterans who died from a service-related injury or illness.

Dependent children of an active-duty, retired or deceased service member, National Guard member, Reservist or Medal of Honor recipient may qualify for the TRICARE program, which offers comprehensive health care coverage.

Children of veterans with disabilities or service members who died in the line of duty may also be eligible for insurance through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), which covers some of the cost of health care services and supplies.

Originally published April 1, 2021, by VAntage Point, the official blog of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

VA serves and honors veterans by supporting their families and survivors with world-class benefits and services.

Learn more about the benefits and services available to military children at www.va.gov/ family-memberbenefits/.

You can find local resources in “How Can I Get Help?” on page 5.

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