The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association
The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association
The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association
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D.C. Affairs<br />
Veteran Services Report<br />
Homeless <strong>Veterans</strong>: Stand-Downs are<br />
periodically conducted throughout the<br />
U.S. to attract the homeless veterans to<br />
get medical treatment, have their records<br />
reviewed, get them into rehabilitation<br />
programs and so forth. Please participate<br />
in these, events. Many <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong> veterans<br />
are in this group. Some have fallen on<br />
hard times because their income level is<br />
below the poverty line,. Many have mental<br />
problems. You can provide a service<br />
such as haircuts, shaves, donate/obtain<br />
clothing, feeding, aiding with<br />
forms/applications and some counseling.<br />
Drugs, Chemicals and Alcohol:<br />
<strong>The</strong>se cause too many problems for veterans.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Chemical aspect is a problem.<br />
Thanks to those who have sent data on<br />
chemicals used in Korea. Alcohol has<br />
been a serious disease since time began<br />
with military people. Our <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong><br />
<strong>Veterans</strong> have a significant number in this<br />
category. If you have a problem with any<br />
of the aforementioned seek aid at the VA<br />
Medical Center nearest you.<br />
Frostbite: you should not be denied<br />
treatment of frostbite at a VAMC. Refer to<br />
the interview of Dr. Kiser in a previous<br />
<strong>Graybeards</strong>.<br />
How to Handle Your Claim:<br />
Remember the DAV is our official representative.<br />
I get many calls from <strong>Korean</strong><br />
<strong>War</strong> Vets. <strong>The</strong> first question I ask is<br />
“which veteran service officer is representing<br />
you.” Let an experienced VSO<br />
handle your case. <strong>The</strong>re is no charge.<br />
Burial Honors: It is the, law. Every<br />
veteran is entitled to receive burial honors.<br />
At the minimum, there. will be two<br />
representatives of the U. S. Armed forces<br />
at a veterans burial site. One must be from<br />
the military branch in which you served.<br />
<strong>The</strong> person presenting the flag will be<br />
from your branch of service. One or perhaps<br />
two of the persons will be activated<br />
from a reserve or national guard unit.<br />
Buglers are sought. If one is unavailable<br />
Taps will be rendered electronically. If<br />
you know or have a bugler in your chapter<br />
please request him to volunteer. Firing<br />
squads most likely will be volunteers. You<br />
can form your squad and obtain ceremonial<br />
rifles. A kit on Burial Honors, will<br />
J. Norbert “Skip” Reiner, National Director for D.C. Affairs<br />
become available in late January. If your<br />
chapter seriously will participate please<br />
advise and I will supply one. Join with<br />
other Vet organization and meet with the<br />
local Funeral Directors Assoc. representative<br />
regarding this matter.<br />
Legislative Report<br />
Norbert Reiner and John Kenney<br />
<strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong> Service Medal: It is<br />
approved by the Department of Defense.<br />
When will it be issued? How can I obtain<br />
it? Further discussions are scheduled with<br />
the DoD representative and Assistant<br />
Defense Military Attaché from the<br />
<strong>Korean</strong> embassy. <strong>The</strong>re are several concerns<br />
about distribution, cost, locating eligible<br />
<strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong> <strong>Veterans</strong>, and to whom<br />
the manufacture will distribute same. A<br />
meeting is planned for the major veterans<br />
organizations for input on distribution and<br />
location of <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong> <strong>Veterans</strong>. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
are several scenarios regarding issue of<br />
the KWSM. It may first be presented at<br />
the annual Commemoration Ceremony<br />
conducted by the <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong> <strong>Veterans</strong><br />
Foundation (their subsidiary —<strong>Korean</strong><br />
<strong>War</strong> <strong>Veterans</strong> Armistice Day<br />
Coordinating Committee) to MOH recipients<br />
or others who have earned distinction.<br />
This has not been finalized. Beware,<br />
do not purchase an imitation. <strong>The</strong>ir is<br />
only one legitimate manufacturer and distributor<br />
authorized by the Republic of<br />
Korea. <strong>The</strong>re are many look alikes on the<br />
market. We are sure the medal will be<br />
released at the start of the 50th<br />
Anniversary Ceremonies. We have waited<br />
47 years for medal; please be patient until<br />
the distribution details are complete. You<br />
will be informed through your local<br />
Department and/or Chapter president.<br />
Congressional Charter: It got stuck<br />
in the Judiciary Committee of the House,<br />
it is in the subcommittee for Immigration<br />
and Claims. <strong>The</strong> immigration bill is the<br />
culprit. Hopefully it will clear sometime<br />
during the second half of the 106th congress.<br />
Write to your local congressmen<br />
expressing your wish to have this matter<br />
resolved quickly by having it voted on<br />
separately and sent to the floor or made an<br />
amendment to another bill. It is a nomoney<br />
bill.<br />
Military Retirees: You may be able to<br />
join the Federal Employees Health<br />
Benefit Plans(s). Several test sites have<br />
been selected for this program.<br />
Active Duty and Retired<br />
Servicemen: You are scheduled for a<br />
4.4% increase in pay and allowance as of<br />
1 Jan. 2000. <strong>The</strong> second half of the program<br />
will raise your pay from 1% to 5.5%<br />
effective 1 July 2000. <strong>The</strong> REDUX is<br />
repealed for those who began military<br />
service on or after 1 August 1986.<br />
Military Under NATO or UN<br />
Commanders: Military and veterans<br />
coalitions/alliances and individually are<br />
demanding Congress reject any and all<br />
efforts by the White House to place our<br />
troop under command of other the U. S.<br />
Military Officers. More on this later.<br />
Annual commemoration ceremony:<br />
<strong>The</strong> Annual commemoration ceremony at<br />
the <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong> Memorial is conducted<br />
by the <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong> <strong>Veterans</strong> Armistice<br />
Day Coordinating Committee (KWVAD-<br />
CC) a subsidiary of the <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong><br />
<strong>Veterans</strong> Foundation (KWVF). <strong>The</strong><br />
KWVF is the non profit organization who<br />
initiated the start of the <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong><br />
Memorial in 1979 with Chion Kim. <strong>The</strong><br />
groups lobbied for 27 July as a Day Of<br />
Recognition for <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong> <strong>Veterans</strong>.<br />
Ceremonies for July 27, 2000 will<br />
begin at 1000 Hours. <strong>The</strong> prelude may<br />
commence, earlier as others will provide<br />
entertainment suited for this occasion.<br />
Details and additions are arranged with<br />
and approved by the National Capitol<br />
Park Service (Department of Interior).<br />
Units attending the ceremony will be<br />
processed by groups to expedite seating<br />
and allow for the earlier seating for general<br />
public. <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong> <strong>Veterans</strong> will be<br />
seated in the center section as they<br />
applied for seats. We have been requested<br />
to locate a supplier of water. We cry<br />
Freedom Is Not Free, neither is the annual<br />
commemorative ceremony. Everything<br />
has a cost and donations are welcome;<br />
send to: KWVF, 1801 Saw Mill Run<br />
Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15210 (made<br />
payable to KWVF.) If you bring a color<br />
guard please inform the KWVADCC,<br />
Director or Deputy Director, 6632<br />
Kirkley Ave., McLean, VA 22101-5510<br />
no later than 15 May 2000. Fax data if<br />
Page 22<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Graybeards</strong>