Veterans Connection 7/9/2024

Please continue to forward the newsletter and ask fellow veterans to subscribe. With over 36,000 veterans in the county, we’ve still got a long way to get them all subscribed, so please help by referring local veterans to https://mcvsc.org/subscribe.

Considered the nation's highest military award, The Medal of Honor has been awarded to 3,536 individuals, 65 of whom are still alive. The park will be located at the northeast corner of Third Street and Edwin C. Moses Boulevard, diagonally across from the 1905 Wright Flyer lll statue, which was placed near the intersection this summer.

Post-traumatic stress awareness month (June) is over, but for veterans suffering from PTSD the affliction is year-round. A new study has found that service dogs can be used to complement traditional treatments for military related PTSD. Participants paired with service dogs had "had significantly lower PTSD symptom severity" and "significantly lower depression scores."

All participants in the study continued traditional PTSD treatments, so it's important to note that service dogs are not a replacement for existing treatment methods. The data do indicate that service dogs can greatly enhance treatment.

Service Dogs for Physical Disabilities

4 Paws for Ability, a local nonprofit in Xenia, is dedicated to providing service dogs to children and veterans with disabilities. The dogs are specially trained to assist veterans with mobility issues or hearing loss resulting from combat injuries, including limb loss, balance problems, spinal injuries, and deafness.

If you're looking for a volunteer opportunity to benefit veterans, contact 4 Paws for Ability. You can also make a donation on their website.

Ten active-duty members of the U.S. Army will represent the U.S.A. in the Olympic and Paralympic games in Paris this summer.

Seven service members will participate in the Olympics:

• Staff Sgt. Rachel Tozier (Army Marksmanship Unit) – Shooting: Olympic Trap

• Staff Sgt. Will Hinton (Army Marksmanship Unit) – Shooting: Olympic Trap

• Sgt. Sagen Maddalena (Army Marksmanship Unit) – Shooting: 50m Smallbore event; and 10m Air Rifle event

• Sgt. Ivan Roe (Army Marksmanship Unit) – Shooting: 50m Smallbore event; and 10m Air Rifle event

• Capt. Samantha K. Sullivan (U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program) – Women’s Rugby Team

• Staff Sgt. Leonard E. Korir (U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program) – Track and Field: Marathon

• Spc. Kamal Bey (U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program) – Greco-Roman Wrestling (77 kg)

• Master Sgt. Dennis Bowsher (U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program) – Modern Pentathlon Coach

• Sgt. 1st class Spenser Mango (U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program) – Wrestling Coach

Three service members will participate in the Paralympics:

• Sgt. 1st class John Wayne Joss III (U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program) – Shooting: R6 50m Rifle Prone SH1
  
  
• Staff Sgt. Kevin Nguyen (U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program) – Shooting: R6 50m Rifle Prone SH1
  
  
• Sgt. 1st class Elizabeth Marks (U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program) – Paralympic Swimming

According to research by the RAND Corporation in 2022, veterans who received separation pay are often asked to pay it back if they later sign up for disability benefits. Unfortunately, most veterans are not aware when they accept the separation pay that it cannot be accepted in conjunction with disability pay.

An article by NBC News investigates several cases of veterans being forced to repay separation pay decades after the fact. The repayment comes out of disability payments, which can be financially ruinous for many veterans.

We encourage anyone considering signing up for disability benefits to consult with their county's local Veterans Service Commission. The Commissions exist to provide you with all the information you need to avoid getting blindsided by obscure rules such as the conflict between separation and disability pay.

Many veterans are outraged by the forced repayment of separation pay and we understand your concerns. If you feel that VA legislation should be modified, write to your congressman. You'd be surprised how often they respond!

Enjoy FREE entry to National Parks

Not sure where to enjoy your summer vacation? Take advantage of America's amazing National Parks with free entry for all veterans. The National Parks Service offers America the Beautiful passes to all veterans and Gold Star families. 

Check out the full calendar on our website.

Have an upcoming event for veterans? Contact veteransinfo@mcohio.org to be included in the newsletter!

The work of the Montgomery County Veterans Services Commission is only possible if we're able to reach the veterans that need our help. Do your part and forward it to your veteran friends. Ask them to go subscribe: https://mcvsc.org/subscribe