Midway USA, Chapter 16 - Salina, Kansas

 PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS: I heard some very good comments concerning our gifts to the Senior Center; this is a feel-good moment. The organization of the next Veterans Tribute Parade will start this month. It is being Ram-Rodded by Mary Landes formally of the Salina Journal. Her office is on the second floor of the Masonic Center. We had a brief meeting at Ad Astra brought about by Jim Deister the President of the VVA since the Topic of this year’s parade is Vietnam. So my question is what we as TREA would like to do this year. Past years we had my Truck and a couple of other cars in the Parade to include a table at the Masonic Center. Our picture taking has been in need of much repair and better ideas for the parade. On the Sunset Park Veterans Memorial Bricks, we are awaiting the meeting with Jason Gage.  Even so, we are moving forward as we have good positive responses for our efforts and along with this Jim Cole of the VVA who was on the last council has contributed info and has stated that the Vet Brick program was closed down and never to be reopened. He is in STRONG agreement at getting it going once more because we have more veterans, for which we all wish we never again will have more veterans. THAT ONE STATEMENT really carries an impact we all share, we have no more military involvement in conflicts, but as a World Leader, we will be involved or overrun by the screwballs who do not believe in the Freedoms WE STAND FOR.

Your President, Richard Trow (Dick)

GUEST SPEAKER:   Tom Martin, Executive Director of Salina Regional Health Foundation.  He will talk about the Foundation.

NEW MEMBER:  We welcome on deck Charles L. Delaney Navy Retiree, RM1.

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS: Fortino Bonilla; Billy Booe; Leroy Rittel; Abraham Holzmeister; and Moses Stewart.  

REST HOME/HOSPITAL:  Virginia Whitman and Taft Yates Sr are in rest home and William Long is in Salina hospital, room 524; so keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

REMINDER: To continue receiving chapter 16 monthly Newsletters, you must pay a $14.00 yearly fee. This money helps pay for Newsletter mailing expenses. Please mail your check to the above chapter address. If your e-mail address has changed please let us know and TREA HQ.

JULY MEETING TIBITS: Dick Trow won the attendance meeting drawing a $20 gift card.   Our guest speaker Lane Mangels, Detective for the City of Salina Police Department spoke about all the different types of SCAMs. He stated that the City of Salina is working on opening an Emergency Shelter for the homeless. He answered questions and received a Chapter Certificate of Appreciation. The chapter showed its gratitude for the Senior Center allowing us to hold our meetings in their building for free and providing excellent service by giving them a USA and KS flag, special plaque, certification of appreciation, and a $100 dollar donation. A majority agreed not to have a 2017 picnic.  August 20^th, the chapter will talk about TREA & chapter 16 at the NAACP unit 4041 membership meeting. Treasurer report was  an ending checking balance of $1623.03.

EXCESS PROPERTY FOR HOMELESS VETERANS (INITIATIVE): This is a program that works for the distribution of individual property, including socks, footwear, parkas, hats and other things to the homeless ex-soldiers, via the VA domiciliary and other programs. It is responsible for the distribution of materials worth 125 USD million and currently has more than 15 USD in inventory. The program uses formerly rehabilitated homeless ex-soldiers to distribute the goods to others in need.  To get in touch with a VA trained member use: 877-4AID VET (877-424-3838).

HEAT OVEREXPOSURE: Some of the common signs of heat overexposure are: heavy sweating, but if a heat stroke sets in, the body can no longer compensate and stops sweating, pale skin, muscle cramps,  feeling tired and weak, altered mental status (confusion), headache, becoming semi-conscious or passing out, and nausea or vomiting.  

ID CARD SERVICES:  Many ID card issuing facilities rely on set appointments rather than walk-in service. Close by ID card locations are: 1. Fort Riley KS 66442 - (Monday thru Friday 8:00am-4:00pm) Bldg. 212 Custer Avenue, 785-239-3698 and 785-239-3654.

 2. McConnell AFB - Bldg. 412 (Dole Center), Room 126, Wichita St. 316-759-3737. 3.  235th Regiment Regional Training Site, Kansas National Guard, 2850 Scanlan Ave, Salina, KS, (785) 822-6610 or 6608. Tuesday through Thursday – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 4. HUTCHINSON –

1111 N. Severance St., (620) 728-4200 Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHAT ARE VA BURIAL ALLOWANCES? VA burial allowances are flat-rate monetary benefits that are generally paid at the maximum amount authorized by law for an eligible Veteran’s burial and funeral costs. A VA regulation change in 2014 simplified the program to pay eligible survivors quickly and efficiently. Eligible surviving spouses of record are paid automatically upon notification of a Veteran’s death, without the need to submit a claim. VA may grant additional benefits, including the plot or interment allowance and transportation allowance, if it receives a claim for these benefits. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? If the burial benefit has not been automatically paid to the surviving spouse, The VA will pay the first living person to file a claim     i.e. spouse, children, parents, and siblings. You can apply by completing VA Form 21P-530 Application for Burial Benefits. You should attach a copy of the Veteran’s military discharge document (DD Form 214 or equivalent) and a death certificate. The nearest VA administrative office will provide assistance or call 1-800-827-1000. HOW MUCH DOES VA PAY? Service-Connected Death If the Veteran died on or after September 1, 2001, the maximum service-connected burial allowance is $2,000. If the Veteran died before September 11, 2001, the maximum service-connected burial allowance is $1,500. If the Veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, VA may reimburse some or all of the costs of transporting the deceased Veteran’s remains. Non Service-Connected Death, from $300 up to $749 depending on the year died on or after.

SUMMER TIME QUOTE: “One swallow does not make a summer, neither does one fine day; similarly one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy.” â€• Aristotle