NOVEMBER VETERANS AFFAIRS NEWSLETTER

Happy November to all those familes who have a Veteran they know.

The month of October was a busy one for our office and me in particular.  We had over 30 visitors in our office and 103  phone calls.  I also had to go to the VA for some heart procedures.  I am okay, just having to change my lifestyle so what is new?

We have Veterans Day coming up and I hope that all of you will participate to remember our Veterans.  There are many schools holding special programs on Veterans Day so support those.  The State of Indiana has 476,283 Veterans; Wartime Veterans 339,528; Golf War Vets 139,873; Vietnam Era 149,330; Korean Conflict 39,290; and WWII Veterans 20,499.  Montgomery County has around 3,100 Veterans that call this area home.  I don't have a breakdown for those.

We have completed another successful Honor Flight on October 27th with 13 Montgomery County Veterans participating.  it was a very good flight and I think all involved had a great time.  We also had a Veterans Expo at the American Legion which was another successful program, however, we did have a glitch in that our flu vaccine and RN's to administer the shots did not make it.  So we will have a redo on the shots: November 12/13th from 9am until noon and on Monday, November 17th from 2-6pm we will have the flu shots available at the American Legion Post 72 in Crawfordsville.  If you are a Veteran and want a flu shot come by and get your shot for free.

I must say that I am always honored to be a part of Honor Flight and getting to meet our hero's from our State, but I received a surprise on our last flight as we were waiting to load our plane in Washington DC.  I saw this gentleman walking by and we made eye ontact and it was like we knew each other.  He walked over to me and asked if I was someone he knew and I was not.  However, I noticed on his lapel a little blue wreath which represents the Congressional Medal of Honor!  Oh my gosh, a true hero, who said that the real hero's did not return home. I was honotored to meet Mr. Paul W. Bucha who was a Vietnam Veteran.  As we travel we just never know who we will meet.

If you are a Gulf War Veteran please make sure you are registered with the VA and if you need help with claims come and speak with me. Vietnam Veterans who have diabetes or a cancer or any other ailments, lets speak.  If you are a Korean Conflict Veteran, let's  talk as well as WWII Veterans.  As always make sure your family knows where your service separation papers are or DD-214 for some of you.  They need to be registered with the County Recorders office.  Any questions, call me.

Have a great Holiday Season.