NEWSLETTER
Midway Chapter 16
P.O. Box 1774, Salina, Kansas 67402-1774
February 2024 Issue: 02
OFFICERS: President – Gary Keil 785-822-4131; Vice President – Jason Bathon; 785-577-1659; Acting Secretary - Bill Vinyard 785-827-8394; Treasurer - Roger Thull 785-827-7981; Chaplain – Moses Stewart 785-827-5956; Sergeant of Arms – Bill Quinley
MEETING LOCATION: Salina Senior Center, Board Room on Second Floor, 245 N 9th St, Salina, KS
MEETING TIME: 1:00 PM/DATES: February 9, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13, October 11, November 8, December 13.
MEAL: Teriyaki glazed chicken leg quarter, glazed carrots, fruit cocktail, and wheat bread with butter
ACTING SECRETARY COMMENTS: I hope everyone is safe, warm, and healthy, and I wish you a Happy Valentine's Day. We canceled our January meeting due to the forecast of freezing weather. At our February meeting, we have issues that require our attention (finalizing our budget and planning fundraisers and recruitment); I encourage each of you to attend. It's not too late for an RSV or COVID-19 booster shot at locations CVS, Walgreens, Dillon pharmacies, COMCARE, etc. The Salina VA Clinic has the RSV shot. We WERE BLESSED to have survived another year as a chapter. I would be remiss if I did not thank all of you for your dedication to chapter 16. AGAIN THANKS!
WELLNESS: Shirley Wagner, Rachel Holt Fikes, and Roger Thull. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers for healing.
BIRTHDAYS IN FEBRUARY: Vickie Guillot
NEWSLETTER: We welcome all articles, event flyers, and suggestions to improve our newsletter. We would appreciate submitting newsletter articles at least two weeks before our monthly meeting via e-mail to vinex2@att.net or mail to The Enlisted Association Midway Chapter 16, P.O. Box 1774, Salina, KS 67401-1774.
REMINDER: TOTAL MEMBERS: 43. Please renew your TREA membership. We thank all the members who renewed their membership in 2023 and those who are Life members.
VA MEDICATIONS: Many Veterans qualify for cost-free health care and medications based on receiving a Purple Heart. Former Prisoner of War Status. 50% or more Compensable VA service-connected disabilities (0-40% service-connected may take the copay test to determine medication copay status). You may need to pay a fixed amount for some types of care, tests, and prescription medicines for conditions unrelated to your service. This is your copayment.
2023 VETERAN BENEFITS UPDATE: Veterans have applied for benefits at record rates over the past year. As a result of your applications, V.A. has been able to deliver more earned benefits to more Veterans than ever before, including $150 billion during 2023 alone.
Veteran homelessness rose in 2023 (7.4%), but not as much as overall homelessness. Significant actions taken by VA in 2022 appear to have mitigated the risk of a greater increase. V.A. has made strides in reducing and preventing homelessness among women Veterans, but there is still much work to do. If you need aid, visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. (source news.va.gov)
CONFIDENTIAL CRISIS SUPPORT FOR VETERANS AND THEIR LOVED ONES: Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7. You don't have to be enrolled in V.A. benefits or health care to connect with caring, qualified responders: Dial 988, then Press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text (838255).
CASUALTY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Each service branch has specially trained casualty assistance officers to provide compassionate assistance to casualty survivors. Army Casualty Assistance: 888-ARMYHRC (276-9472), Marine Corps Casualty Assistance: 800-847-1597, Navy Casualty Assistance/Family Liaison: 800-368-3202, Air Force Casualty Assistance (Air and Space Force): 800-525-0102, select Option 2, then Option 1, Coast Guard Casualty Assistance: 571-266-2375.
VALENTINE'S DAY QUOTE: "When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too." — Paulo Coelho.
UNITED WE STAND
