Dear County Veterans:

I am proud to present this web site as a valuable resource to all our county veterans. This site is dedicated to keeping county veterans and their families informed on benefits, entitlements and issues affecting them. If there is something you specifically would like to see mentioned on the web site, please contact our office. We welcome any news from a service organization that would be of interest to our Monroe county veterans. We will update quarterly or as necessary, so if there are any events that you have dates for in advance just let us know. Also, our local paper, the Beacon, allows us to keep the county veterans informed by having a veterans information column the last issue of each month.

As your County Veterans Service Officer, I have observed that many veterans within our community remain unaware of the numerous benefits they may be entitled to. It is for this reason I urge all veterans to come to the Veterans Service Office with your DD 214/discharge to allow us to evaluate your situation and determine what benefits you qualify for. To those veterans who have visited our office, I request your assistance in sharing and encouraging other veterans to come by our office. Over a cup of coffee we can advise each one of entitlements currently available.

Again, if you have any questions, be sure to call or visit our office so that we can assess your individual situation and provide you with the personal service that you have earned. We can only help if you come in and let us. The office staff of Patricia Wells, Ruth Wittenbrook and I look forward to serving you.

Sincerely,

Gary J. Lake

CVSO

VA Links Agent Orange and Diabetes Type II: The Department of Veterans Affairs effective July 9, 2001 has added Diabetes Mellitus/Type II as a presumptive condition for in-country Vietnam veterans. Those veterans who were honorably discharged and who served in the Republic of Vietnam during the period of January 9, 1962 through May 7, 1975 and have "adult onset diabetes mellitus" are eligible for disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) based on their presumed exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. We encourage any county veteran with in-country Vietnam service and diagnosed mellitus (Type II) contact our office for information and assistance in applying for benefits.

The Veterans Service Office has the appropriate forms, addresses and example letters available to assist veterans in filing for the following awards.

Cold War Certificates: As the result of the 1998 National Defense Authorization Act, military retirees, veterans and federal government civilian personnel who served during the Cold War era (September 2, 1945 to December 26m 26, 1991) are eligible for a Certificate of Recognition signed by the secretary of defense. To apply for this certificate, you must send a letter and provide a copy of any official government or military document as proof of service.

Combat Action Ribbon Award: US Navy and Marine Corps veterans who served in combat during WWII or the Korean War are now eligible for the CAR, veterans must have participated in ground or surface combat during WWII (December 7, 1941 to April 14, 1946) and Korea (June 27, 1950 to July 27, 1954).

"Thank-You-America Certificate" 1944-1945: The French authorities have decided to issue a certificate to recognize the participation of all American and allied soldiers who took part in the Normandy landing and contributed to the liberation of France. The certificate is meant to express the gratitude of the French people to the soldiers who participated in the Normandy landing and liberation of France, on French territory and in French territorial waters and airspace, between June 6, 1944 and May 8, 1945. The certificate will not be issued posthumously.