The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association

D.C. Affairs
Veteran Services Report
Homeless Veterans: Stand-Downs are
periodically conducted throughout the
U.S. to attract the homeless veterans to
get medical treatment, have their records
reviewed, get them into rehabilitation
programs and so forth. Please participate
in these, events. Many Korean War veterans
are in this group. Some have fallen on
hard times because their income level is
below the poverty line,. Many have mental
problems. You can provide a service
such as haircuts, shaves, donate/obtain
clothing, feeding, aiding with
forms/applications and some counseling.
Drugs, Chemicals and Alcohol:
These cause too many problems for veterans.
The Chemical aspect is a problem.
Thanks to those who have sent data on
chemicals used in Korea. Alcohol has
been a serious disease since time began
with military people. Our Korean War
Veterans have a significant number in this
category. If you have a problem with any
of the aforementioned seek aid at the VA
Medical Center nearest you.
Frostbite: you should not be denied
treatment of frostbite at a VAMC. Refer to
the interview of Dr. Kiser in a previous
Graybeards.
How to Handle Your Claim:
Remember the DAV is our official representative.
I get many calls from Korean
War Vets. The first question I ask is
“which veteran service officer is representing
you.” Let an experienced VSO
handle your case. There is no charge.
Burial Honors: It is the, law. Every
veteran is entitled to receive burial honors.
At the minimum, there. will be two
representatives of the U. S. Armed forces
at a veterans burial site. One must be from
the military branch in which you served.
The person presenting the flag will be
from your branch of service. One or perhaps
two of the persons will be activated
from a reserve or national guard unit.
Buglers are sought. If one is unavailable
Taps will be rendered electronically. If
you know or have a bugler in your chapter
please request him to volunteer. Firing
squads most likely will be volunteers. You
can form your squad and obtain ceremonial
rifles. A kit on Burial Honors, will
J. Norbert “Skip” Reiner, National Director for D.C. Affairs
become available in late January. If your
chapter seriously will participate please
advise and I will supply one. Join with
other Vet organization and meet with the
local Funeral Directors Assoc. representative
regarding this matter.
Legislative Report
Norbert Reiner and John Kenney
Korean War Service Medal: It is
approved by the Department of Defense.
When will it be issued? How can I obtain
it? Further discussions are scheduled with
the DoD representative and Assistant
Defense Military Attaché from the
Korean embassy. There are several concerns
about distribution, cost, locating eligible
Korean War Veterans, and to whom
the manufacture will distribute same. A
meeting is planned for the major veterans
organizations for input on distribution and
location of Korean War Veterans. There
are several scenarios regarding issue of
the KWSM. It may first be presented at
the annual Commemoration Ceremony
conducted by the Korean War Veterans
Foundation (their subsidiary —Korean
War Veterans Armistice Day
Coordinating Committee) to MOH recipients
or others who have earned distinction.
This has not been finalized. Beware,
do not purchase an imitation. Their is
only one legitimate manufacturer and distributor
authorized by the Republic of
Korea. There are many look alikes on the
market. We are sure the medal will be
released at the start of the 50th
Anniversary Ceremonies. We have waited
47 years for medal; please be patient until
the distribution details are complete. You
will be informed through your local
Department and/or Chapter president.
Congressional Charter: It got stuck
in the Judiciary Committee of the House,
it is in the subcommittee for Immigration
and Claims. The immigration bill is the
culprit. Hopefully it will clear sometime
during the second half of the 106th congress.
Write to your local congressmen
expressing your wish to have this matter
resolved quickly by having it voted on
separately and sent to the floor or made an
amendment to another bill. It is a nomoney
bill.
Military Retirees: You may be able to
join the Federal Employees Health
Benefit Plans(s). Several test sites have
been selected for this program.
Active Duty and Retired
Servicemen: You are scheduled for a
4.4% increase in pay and allowance as of
1 Jan. 2000. The second half of the program
will raise your pay from 1% to 5.5%
effective 1 July 2000. The REDUX is
repealed for those who began military
service on or after 1 August 1986.
Military Under NATO or UN
Commanders: Military and veterans
coalitions/alliances and individually are
demanding Congress reject any and all
efforts by the White House to place our
troop under command of other the U. S.
Military Officers. More on this later.
Annual commemoration ceremony:
The Annual commemoration ceremony at
the Korean War Memorial is conducted
by the Korean War Veterans Armistice
Day Coordinating Committee (KWVAD-
CC) a subsidiary of the Korean War
Veterans Foundation (KWVF). The
KWVF is the non profit organization who
initiated the start of the Korean War
Memorial in 1979 with Chion Kim. The
groups lobbied for 27 July as a Day Of
Recognition for Korean War Veterans.
Ceremonies for July 27, 2000 will
begin at 1000 Hours. The prelude may
commence, earlier as others will provide
entertainment suited for this occasion.
Details and additions are arranged with
and approved by the National Capitol
Park Service (Department of Interior).
Units attending the ceremony will be
processed by groups to expedite seating
and allow for the earlier seating for general
public. Korean War Veterans will be
seated in the center section as they
applied for seats. We have been requested
to locate a supplier of water. We cry
Freedom Is Not Free, neither is the annual
commemorative ceremony. Everything
has a cost and donations are welcome;
send to: KWVF, 1801 Saw Mill Run
Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15210 (made
payable to KWVF.) If you bring a color
guard please inform the KWVADCC,
Director or Deputy Director, 6632
Kirkley Ave., McLean, VA 22101-5510
no later than 15 May 2000. Fax data if
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The Graybeards