In 1994 during the initial wave of Gulf
War<br>physicals the Army ws doing I was sent to Fitzsimmons
Army<br>Hospital for the physical. While there I like most of
the<br>others was diagnosed as depressed. This past month
due<br>to the fact I was diagnosed with depression i
was<br>refused an interim security clearance and fired by
my<br>employer (I was a gov't contractor). Funny thing is I
kept<br>the Secret clearance from 94-96 while on active
duty<br>without a problem and have held up to a
TS<br>SBI.<br>Anyone know if this comes under the Americans
With<br>Disabilities Act?

Cost of Living Allowance<br><br>George

Hi, one quick question.  What is "cola"?  I've heard that term used before;
don't remember what it meant though.  <br><br>Thanks,<br>Josh

Has anyone heard if we're getting cola this year??

JUST WANT TO SAY HELLO,TO EACH OF YOU VETS.HOPE YOU HAD A NICE DAY.TOWBOAT.

Check out your STATE GUARD. Thay are wanting
volenteers. They are a backup to the National Guards. I
talked to a SSGT at our parade this weekend. It is a
great outfit and has x-military as well as non
military.<br> Check it out on the net.<br> david

Hi, I would like to get a DAV products catalog.<br>I just joined last month and
would like to get some clothing items. Thx<br> David   Draytree@...

Just joined saying my hellos and hope you all have a safe and pleasent day!

Handicapped Veterans Association is planning a
retreat for veterans, especially for the disabled
veterans. The retreat will be located near Farmington,
Missouri, This retreat is being set up for veterans to go
relax, play sports, fish or hunt. We also have cabins
and campsites for overnight stays. We have many
activities.<br> But we need your help. We need veterans to help
us with support. No denotations are necessary. We
just need you to e-mail, call, or write us a letter
showing support. We have a web site that tells a lot of
what we are planning, and pictures also. We also have
a survey we would like you to fill out, so that we
know what you prefer. You can also email us with any
questions you may have.<br> The address is HVA, 3541 cr
905, Alpena, Ar 72611.<br>The web site is
<a href=http://www.angelfire.com/mo3/handicappedvets
target=new>http://www.angelfire.com/mo3/handicappedvets</a> <br> The sites to
email are kristy_w_21@...
or hva2@... <br> If you want off my mailing
list please let me know.<br>If you want to call us the
number is 870-553-2533<br><br>Christopher Nichols
Kristina Wheeler<br>Vice-president Secretary

we now have a new site for our retreat. please check out the site. there are a
few things we are still working on.<br><a
href=http://www.angelfire.com/mo3/handicappedvets
target=new>http://www.angelfire.com/mo3/handicappedvets</a>

Me and my fiance chris, has been working on a
retreat for the disabled vets. it will be located in
missouri. the place will have hunting, fishing,
recreational activities, miniture golf, and more. We need
veterns to be in support of this project. so if you are
interested, please go to the web site to learn
more.<br><a href=http://www.geocities.com/hva72611
target=new>http://www.geocities.com/hva72611</a><br>and thank you

The disabled Veterans of our great nation who are
retired from the service of their choice need your
support and assistance.<br><br>Our retirement pension is
based upon the rank we held and the number of years we
served our country over and above twenty years. Many of
us are now living with service-connected
disabilities, some more severe than others. We chose the
military way of life for many and varying reasons, as any
civilian chose their profession. The retired military
person with service-connected disabilities is now and
has been discriminated against by the federal
government for over 100 years. We are the only class of
people who are literally paying for our own
disabilities. Allow us to explain. Over 100 years ago when
Title 38 to the U.S. Code was written, a military
person was allowed to retire from active duty with a
pension. However, when the disability compensation law was
enacted the percentage of the disability compensation
awarded is deducted from our own retirement pension.
Thus, disability compensation does not cost the federal
government one penny. The paradox here is that a veteran
drawing disability compensation can retire from civil
service and retain their full disability and retirement
status, as does a civilian retiring from the private
sector. We feel that this is discriminatory action
against military retired persons with service-connected
disabilities.<br><br>We are seeking to resolve this matter and allow the
retired/disabled Veterans the same consideration of all Americans,
to receive our retirement and disability
concurrently.<br><br>We are asking for advice and support. There are many
bills in congress addressing this issue (currently H.R.
303 and S. 171), which annually have been tabled with
no positive action. Some of the considerations are
writing all Senators and Congressional Representatives in
Washington to encourage their co-sponsorship for the bills
coming before the 107th Congress. Tell your Senator and
Representative that just co-sponsoring is not enough and they
should expeditiously help promote the Bill. If you can
and would like to help, please write, E-mail, or
call. Also, if you know of legal council or celebrity
spokespersons interested in assisting with or promoting this
monumental task on behalf of all retired/disabled Veterans,
feel free to contact them and let us know. Your
support and assistance for this endeavor to amend Title
38 to the U.S. Code is greatly appreciated. On
behalf of retired/disabled Veterans, we thank
you.<br><br>ET1(SS) Peter L. Lassonde III<br>U.S. Navy
(Retired)<br>Norcross, GA 30093<br>E-mail: SubVET@...<br><br>In
memory of:<br>Ronald Wilson<br>U.S. Navy (Retired)

Greetings Everyone;<br>I am adding two links to
the links section. One is
<a href=http://boseman.net/vets/concur.html
target=new>http://boseman.net/vets/concur.html</a> This deals with Retired Pay
Restoration Act of
2001 and allows a retired member to receive BOTH
retirement pay and disability compensation from the VA.
<br>The second one is <a href=http://coldwar.army.mil/
target=new>http://coldwar.army.mil/</a> and deals
with the Cold War Recognition Certificate and explains
what you need to do to apply for it.<br>Butch

I have posted my home page to the links section. I<br>hope all that look at it,
will pass it on to other<br>vets and non vets as well.  <br>Thanks,<br>Butch

Michael,  While I cannot be with you in person, you will be in my thoughts
during this vigil.  Take a look at my home page as I mentioned the Gulf War
Syndrome.<br><br>Butch

I want to express my support for your vigil and
your cause. As a disabled Vietnam era vet who picked
up another as yet barely recognized by medical
science disease (Fibromyalgia) while in the service, I
understand some of the difficulties faced by those with GWD.
Keep up the good fight!<br><br>Sincerely,<br><br>John
Foldan<br>jftraveler@...

I am a gulf war vet with what I believe is the
gulf war syndrom. I am have organized a gulf war vigil
on Feb 28, 2001 at the State Capital Building -south
side in Austin Texas. This will begin at 6 pm.<br>Here
is a press release that I have developed.:<br>PRESS
RELEASE<br><br> Several Gulf War veterans' organizations
nationwide are planning a lighting vigil on the steps of the
Capitol Building of their various states on February
28th, 2001 at 6:00 p.m. <br><br> As you know, this will
mark the tenth anniversary of the cease-fire of the
Gulf War. This light vigil will pay tribute to the men
and women from the Texas National Guard and Texas
Army Reserves and all the military posts in Texas who
have given of themselves for the principals for which
freedom stands. Lives of coalition forces were lost
during the gulf war and many lives have been lost since
that time. Many Texas Veterans have suffered serious
health issues since the gulf, and continue to do so as
time goes on. <br><br> We ask all participants to
bring a flashlight and turn it on at dusk to show the
light. The significance of the light is in remembrance
of those who died during the war, those who returned
physically and emotionally wounded, those who have yet to
return, and those who remain sick, disabled, or who have
died during the decade following the war as a result
of their Gulf War injuries and illnesses. The 10th
Anniversary committee coordinates the nationwide remembrance
ceremony with volunteer coordinators in each participating
state. <br><br> We also ask that you bring chairs so
that you are comfortable throughout the vigil.<br><br>
We would like to extend an invitation to you to
participate in this occasion along with us on the South Side
Steps of the Capitol. <br><br> State Representative
Hupp is the State Official Sponsor of this
event.<br><br> State Representative Lon Burnam from the 90th
district will be the guest speaker for this event.<br><br>
I can be contacted at me at
hier@....<br><br><br>Sincerely, <br><br>Michael R.
Hieronimczak<br>______________
<br>Michael R. Hieronimczak<br>Gulf War Vet Vigil State
Representative

Hi everyone. I am Butch, a retired USAF E-7 and
now 80% and fighting for my 100% since 96. I would
like everyone to take a look at my links on my
profile. I did these to let other vets know they are not
alone in fighting the VA and to let non-vets know what
is going on. I know they are not pretty, but the
point gets across.

Would anyone like to have regular meetings here
at the DAV online club? If so, send me an email
(jftraveler@...) with your email address and best time for you to
meet. I will then set up times for meetings that best
fit everyone's schedule and post those times here.
Looking forward to talking to other disabled vets
online.<br><br>Best regards,<br>John<br>jftraveler@...

You should call the patient representative at
your VA hospital and complain about the wait. It also
is effected by what catagory you are in for priority
if they are booked up. Still, a year is too long and
they should be able to help you.

Anyone out there know anything about an organization called Aim Hi that provides
service dogs to disabled Vets and to military family members?

UPDATE:<br><br>Dear Veterans, Friends and
Families of Veterans, and Veteran Supporters:<br><br>We
fell a little short on our petition for Concurrent
Receipt H.R. 303 by separating the petitions by state. A
new petition has been written to include ALL of The
House of Representatives with an ending date of
10/31/2000. Again, we are asking for your assistance and
support in this endeavor of equality for the
retired/disabled veterans and participation in signing/re-signing
our petition to Congress. You will find the petition
at the link listed below. PLEASE sign/re-sign the
National Petition. It will be listed under “PETITION -
U.S. House of Representatives H.R. 303 – Concurrent
Receipt” with an end date of 10/31/2000. We all need to
stick together as CITIZENS. Please help our Veterans
that served OUR GREAT NATION by coming onboard and
taking a moment of your time to sign/re-sign our
petition. OUR UNCLE keeps breaking his promises... and we
need to help him get his backbone straightened up
again so he can see clearly and not always at his own
feet... Your timely assistance in this endeavor IS
STRONGLY NEEDED AND GREATLY APPRECIATED. Again, THANK YOU
for your time and support. It would also help our
cause if you could take a moment and pass this message
along.
<br><br><br><a href=http://www.speakout.com/petitions/ActivePetitions.asp
target=new>http://www.speakout.com/petitions/ActivePetitions.asp</a><br><br><br>\
Thank you in advance,<br>Peter L. Lassonde, III<br>U.S.
Navy, ET1(SS)(Retired)<br>Bottomgun9@...

I received my membership card and window
sticker<br>two weeks ago,60%type, I receive benefits and
get<br>my health care at the Temple VA in Texas near
the<br>new George Bush Ranch.I was drafted out of
class<br>at the University of Houston in May 1969 and
out<br>in August, 1969, never had to go to combat at
all.<br>I'm proud to be a member, and I will help all
I<br>can, I'm now legally blind but I can drive and<br>play
golf, I'm very thankful as you would think,<br>I've
joined here and will be looking for other<br>sites to
visit. Thanks Rod4554

I received my membership card and window
sticker<br>two weeks ago,60%type, I receive benefits and
get<br>my health care at the Temple VA in Texas near
the<br>new George Bush Ranch.I was drafted out of
class<br>at the University of Houston in May 1969 and
out<br>in August, 1969, never had to go to combat at
all.<br>I'm proud to be a member, and I will help all
I<br>can, I'm now legally blind but I can drive and<br>play
golf, I'm very thankful as you would think,<br>I've
joined here and will be looking for other<br>sites to
visit. Thanks Rodney Hanks

Dear Veterans, Friends and Families of Veterans,
and Veteran Supporters:<br><br>Help us on this
endeavor of equality for the retired/disabled veterans and
participate in signing our petition to Congress. You will
find the petition at the link listed below. Please
sign the one for your state as well as the national
petition. It should be listed under “U.S. House of
Representatives H.R. 303 – Concurrent Receipt” with an end date
of 10/1/2000. Your timely assistance in this
endeavor is strongly needed and greatly appreciated. Help
our veterans that served OUR GREAT NATION by coming
onboard and taking a moment of your time to sign our
petition. It would also help our cause if you could take a
moment and pass this message along.<br><br>
<a href=http://www.speakout.com/petitions/ActivePetitions.asp
target=new>http://www.speakout.com/petitions/ActivePetitions.asp</a><br><br><br>\
Thank you in advance,<br>Peter L. Lassonde, III<br>U.S.
Navy (Retired)<br>Bottomgun9@...

I am wondering how a person speeds up the process
of receiving medical treatment from the VA. It will
be nearly a year between the time I was supposedly
scheduled for medical treatment and the time of my first
appointment. I have two progressive diseases both service
connected and other service connected injuries which gives
me constant aggrivation. Can anyone give me some
idea of how to speed up the process.

veteran with permanent and total disability
compensation rating. I hope I am not intruding, but I have
vast knowledge of the VA system and if you are
interested in asking me any questions or leaving comments, I
warmly welcome them all and if you wish I will answer
them normally within 12 hours. Remember, you are not
alone as a veteran. Respectfully, Matt
Parker<br><br><a href=http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/retiredmilitarycoffeeclub
target=new>http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/retiredmilitarycoffeeclub</a>

Thank you for this forum to give and receive
information about the most under-advised classification in
the United States Federal Pension/Compensation arena.
It appears that it is pretty desolete in here so I
intend to spread the word. If anyone happens to drop in
for a looksee, please take the minute to become a
member. Just like the many units that all of us once
served so proudly, this room is only as good as we make
it. Let's give all of us DAVers a voice for questions
and answers that have truth as the common thread.
There are many sites that offer information, but there
are none that offer assistance with the PRACTICAL
application of the benefits. I have researched EXTENSIVELY
the benefits that are available to us and I am
offering my knowledge to all who may need it. I am current
in everything from Availability of space available
on military flights to Zoo passes for free at
Federal/State/County/City Parks. Let's give all of us a voice, JOIN NOW AND
BE HEARD!

i am looking for marines i served with.

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