Noble County Veterans Service

02/09/2019

Worth the read...

05/03/2017

Regarding those poppies that the Veterans' sell - a man selling poppies stopped a lady and asked if he could reposition her poppy. While doing so he told that lady she should wear the poppy on their right side; the red represents the blood of all those who gave their lives, the black represents the mourning of those who didn't have their loved ones return home, and the green leaf represents the grass and crops growing and future prosperity after the war destroyed so much. The leaf should be positioned at 11 o'clock to represent the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the time that World War One formally ended. He was worried that younger generations wouldn't understand this and his generation wouldn't be around for much longer to teach them. (copy and paste to share just like I did) 🌹 we must remember those from our current wars too!
This is something I did not know!!!! I copied this from someone else. Please do the same to pass this knowledge on to those who don't know the meaning.

07/29/2014

With only seven days separating us from the first day of the Fair, we are checking things off of our to-do list to make sure everything is ready for opening...

07/29/2014

The Chillicothe VA Medical Center now offers acupuncture as an alternative pain management option for Veterans.

Opioid addiction is a serious issue and the Chillicothe VAMC is committed to providing alternative options such as chiropractic care and the expansion of other alternative methods for pain management. For more information on these alternative pain management methods, please contact your primary care team.

02/26/2014

An organization of Veterans, and civilian volunteers devoted to giving our local Veterans a voice in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

02/25/2014

Are you a Veteran who receives health care at local VA facilities? If so the Noble County Veterans Service Commission may be able to provide transportation to your appointments. In accordance with the Ohio Revised Code, our office provides regularly scheduled transportation to VA facilities within our district for eligible Veterans. To be eligible you must be a Noble County resident who does not have transportation or a resident who has transportation but cannot transport themselves due to health concerns. Through our network of dedicated, local volunteers, we provide transportation to VA facilities in Marietta, Chillicothe, Columbus, Zanesville and Cambridge. All appointments must be scheduled before noon on the designated day of regularly scheduled transportation. We provide transportation to all Compensation and Pension exams (C&P exams) as scheduled. If a Veteran does not meet the criteria for our transportation services and are not eligible for VA travel reimbursement, they are eligible for a “flat rate” travel reimbursement. This reimbursement is meant to “defray” the cost of travel expenses and does not cover the entire cost of travel. We do not provide transportation to medical appointments outside of the Veterans Health Administration. If you have a private practice medical appointment for which you are unable to obtain transportation for and are over age 60, we can arrange referrals to assist you in your travel to appointments. If you are an interested Veteran or are interested on behalf of a Veteran, please contact our office for a copy of our transportation policy. We look forward to assisting any Veteran in need of these services. A special mention of thanks is in order to our volunteer drivers; their much appreciated contributions to our Veterans make this service possible.

02/24/2014

People stationed at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune while the water there was contaminated were more likely to die from several types of cancer, as well as Lou Gehrig’s disease, according to an official government report released Wednesday.
It’s the latest in a series of reports showing the contaminated water at the base seriously affected Marines and their families.

“The study found elevated (risks) at Camp Lejeune for several causes of death including cancers of the kidney, liver, esophagus, cervix, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease),” Frank Bove of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and colleagues wrote in their report, published in the online journal Environmental Health.
Not very many people who drank the contaminated water have died yet, and so more study will be needed to really nail down the risks, said Bove, a senior epidemiologist at CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
But the findings add to evidence that cancer-causing chemicals such as benzene and trichloroethylene (TCE) caused severe illnesses. TCE is used as a degreaser and a dry-cleaning solvent.
Logan Wallace / AP, file
Retired Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger lost his 9-year-old daughter, Janey, seen in photo at left, to leukemia and believes the government knowingly exposed military families to carcinogenic contaminates.
Other reports have found that children of Marines at the camp had higher rates of leukemia, lymphoma and neural tube defects. An official report published in 2012 found that hundreds of thousands of people may have been drinking and bathing in contaminated water at the camp for as long as 60 years.
Marines have complained they and their children suffered cancer, including breast cancer and fatal leukemia, because of the contamination.

Jerry Ensminger blames the water for the death of his 9-year-old daughter Janey in 1985. Janey was born at Camp Lejeune while Ensminger was serving there. He's glad the studies are starting to be done, but is pushing for much more. "It's like pulling teeth with these people," Ensminger told NBC News. "How can they get a full picture when they won't do the studies?"
Mike Partain says he feels vindicated. The 44-year-old insurance adjuster was born at Camp Lejeune and believes his male breast cancer was caused by the contaminated water.
The Veterans Affairs Department has a website for people who think they may have been affected. They may be eligible for medical care through VA for 15 health conditions, including lung, breast and bladder cancer, leukemia, infertility, kidney damage and other conditions.
For the latest report, Bove and colleagues compared more than 150,000 Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1975 to 1985 to 150,000 similar Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton in California over the same period.
The Lejeune Marines had about a 10 percent higher risk of dying from any type of cancer compared to the Pendleton Marines, the study found. They had a 35 percent higher risk of kidney cancer, a 42 percent higher risk of liver cancer, a 47 percent higher risk of Hodgkin lymphoma and a 68 percent higher risk of multiple myeloma.
Marines had double the risk of ALS if they’d had a high exposure to vinyl chloride.

TOM UHLMAN / AP, file
Mary Byron (left) and her husband Jeff (standing) with son Justin, grandson A.J., and daughters Rachel and Andrea. The Byrons wondered whether they might have prevented their two daughters' litany of health problems, including an oral cleft birth defect, spinal disorder and a rare condition called aplastic anemia. Then they became convinced the water at Camp Lejeune was at fault.
“This is another positive study that shows a definite impact of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune on the Marines who were there during 1975-1985,” Richard Clapp, an epidemiologist at Boston University, told NBC News. “It shows an increase in deaths due to several types of cancer, including leukemia and lymphoma, as well as Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) with increasing exposure to specific chemicals in the drinking water.”
The contamination of the water is clearly documented, and Marines in particular might be at high risk because they drink so much, the researchers said.
“A marine in training under warm weather conditions could drink between one and two quarts of water per hour,” they wrote. “Combining this ingestion rate with dermal and inhalation exposures from showering twice a day, a marine could consume a liter-equivalent of up to eight liters of drinking water per day.”
Water from one particular part of the installation, Hadnot Point, was so highly contaminated that a Marine could easily take in 3.6 milligrams of trichloroethylene (TCE) a day between 1980 and 1985, the researchers said.
ATSDR says trichloroethylene is the most frequently reported organic contaminant in groundwater, estimating that 9 to 34 percent of drinking water supply sources have some TCE contamination.
The U.S. Marines did not have an immediate comment on the study. The USMC says the drinking water at Camp Lejeune currently meets all government drinking water standards and is tested more often than required.

02/20/2014

The United States has the most comprehensive system of assistance for Veterans of any nation in the world. This benefits system traces its roots back to 1636, when the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony were at war with the Pequot Indians. The Pilgrims passed a law which stated that disabled soldiers would be supported by the colony.
The Continental Congress of 1776 encouraged enlistments during the Revolutionary War by providing pensions for soldiers who were disabled. Direct medical and hospital care given to Veterans in the early days of the Republic was provided by the individual States and communities. In 1811, the first domiciliary and medical facility for Veterans was authorized by the Federal Government. In the 19th century, the Nation's Veteran’s assistance program was expanded to include benefits and pensions not only for Veterans, but also their widows and dependents.
The receipt of these benefits have come after a century of mangled, disabled Veterans and their families ban together through Veteran Service Organizations to present before our elected officials, millions of voters who would vote them out of office if they did not care for our Veterans and their dependents. As the recent back and forth in the headlines illustrate, these organizations have not lost their voice and they are still needed. Benefits for Veterans, retiree’s and surviving spouse are scaled back one month, only to be reinstated the next month due to the protest of our Veteran Service Organizations. We do have the most comprehensive system of assistance for Veterans of any Nation in the world. We also have the most capable, disciplined and committed, all voluntary military in the history of the world. Upon raising their right hand and swearing a solemn oath “to protect and defend”, our nation made a promise to care for those enlisting as active duty personnel and as Veterans; their widow and their orphan. We do this better than any country in the world, but how quick our elected officials seem to forget this promise. Across the country local Veteran Organizations are folding and shutting up due to insufficient membership. Here in Noble County we are blessed with robust, dedicated Veteran Service Organization members. If you have been looking for a way to “chip in “or “show your support” join a Veterans Service Organization. Put your name on the roster of voters who will not stand for turning our backs on our Veterans.

12/17/2013

Many Ohioans are looking ahead this month to Christmas, but Veterans of the Armed Forces who served during the time of the Persian Gulf War have a very important deadline falling just after the holiday. Applications for the Ohio Veterans Bonus for Persian Gulf era Veterans must be submitted no later than December 31, 2013. Online applications must be submitted not later than 11:59:59 P.M December 31, 2013 and paper applications must contain a US Postal Stamp post marked not later than December 31, 2013. The application requires less than 15 minutes to complete. A Veteran or service members service may recognized with a bonus of up to $1,000. The Ohio Veterans Bonus is not only for Persian Gulf era Veterans. However the upcoming deadline applies only this to this group. Overall qualifying periods of service and deadlines are as follows: Persian Gulf-Service from August 2, 1990 through March 3, 1991; deadline to apply December 31, 2013, Iraq Service from March 19, 2003 through December 31, 2011; deadline to apply December 31, 2014 and Afghanistan Service from October 7, 2001; deadline to be determined by the President.
To qualify Veterans and service members must have military service of more than 90 days of active duty for purposes other than training anywhere in the world. Eligible Veterans and service members must have been Ohio residents at the time of their entry into the military, and must be Ohio residents at the time they apply.
We do not want any eligible Veteran or service member to miss out on this appreciation of their valued service. If you are unsure of a Veteran or service members eligibility or if they have already applied for the bonus, ask them. We want to ensure every eligible Veteran and service member receives what they have earned. If you have any questions or would like assistance in completing your application please contact our office. The online application can be completed at www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov.

12/13/2013

The Department of Veteran Affairs provides comprehensive dental care to Veterans who meet eligibility standards; however, the benefit is not available to many Veterans. VA would like all Veterans and beneficiaries to have access to good oral health. Good oral health is more than just a nice smile or ability to chew favorite foods-it impacts a person’s overall health throughout his or her life.
VA’s Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) offers enrolled Veterans and beneficiaries of VA’s Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) the opportunity to purchase dental insurance at the reduced cost. VA is offering this service through Delta Dental and MetLife. VADIP is a three-year, national pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing a premium-based dental insurance plan to eligible individuals.
Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program and CHAMPVA program beneficiaries are eligible to participate in VADIP. Participation in VADIP will not affect Veterans’ eligibility for VA dental services and treatment. Dependents of Veterans, except those eligible under CHAMPVA, are not eligible for VADIP; however, separate coverage options may be offered to dependents by the insurance carrier.
Coverage under VADIP begins January 1, 2014, and will be provided throughout the United States. The initial participation period will be at least 12 calendar months. Afterward, VADIP beneficiaries can renew their participation for another 12-month period or be covered month-to-month, as long as the participant remains eligible for coverage and VA continues VADIP.
Multiple plan options will allow participants to select a plan that provides benefits and premiums that meet their dental needs and budget. The offered plans vary and may include diagnostic, preventative, surgical, emergency and endodontic/restorative treatment. Each participant will pay a fixed monthly premium for coverage, in addition to any copayments required by his or her plan.
For more information on VADIP, visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/VADIP and click the insurer’s link for specific information regarding the registration, rates and services, or call Delta Dental at 1-855-370-3303 or MetLife at 1-888-310-1681 or stop by or call our office.

VA is implementing a comprehensive national VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) to give enrolled Veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries the opportunity to purchase dental insurance through Delta Dental and MetLife at a reduced cost. Participation is voluntary. Purchasing a dental plan does not affect Ve...

12/02/2013

With Thanksgiving over and New Years fast approaching many people start to think about New Year’s resolutions. Among popular resolutions are: to quit smoking or to “get in shape”. These are two resolutions that are easier said than done and that’s why the VA offers programs to assist Veterans meet these goals.

Approximately 70 percent of all smokers say they want to quit, but even the most motivated may try to quit five or six times before they are able to quit. Over 3 million Americans successfully quit smoking every year. With a little help and support you can be among those 3 million going into 2014. Your local VA clinic can provide prescriptions for ni****ne replacement therapy, such as a ni****ne patch or gum, or other medications. You could be enrolled in and participate in evidence-based smoking cessation programs and even be provided with individual counseling.
As anyone knows losing weight and getting fit can be a very difficult task. If you are carrying extra weight, losing weight and keeping it off is also one of the best things you can do to protect your health. Excess weight puts you at risk for problems like heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, sleep apnea and gallstones. MOVE! is a national weight management program designed by the Veterans Health Administration to help Veterans reap the benefits of a healthy life style. The best way to manage your weight is to eat wisely and be as physically active as possible. MOVE! and your VA healthcare team can help you at every step along the way to healthy living and a healthy weight. Your VA Primary Care Team will encourage you to complete the MOVE!23 questionnaire. To tailor the program to your needs your answers on the questionnaires will help indentify your specific needs. This will help your team set some initial goals such as how much total weight you want to lose, how much you want to lose each week, and your plans for increasing activity and decreasing calories. With your team’s guidance, you will choose from the support options available at your facility. Get a head start on your resolution, whatever it may be! To learn more about these programs you can visit the following websites www.move.va.gov/mov23.asp. and http://www.publichealth.va.gov/smoking/ or stop into our office, or your local VA facility.

12/02/2013

Mobile VA.