Research Blog : veterans

Holiday Mail for Heroes

Shh_ImReading@evpl — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:41:00 GMT

This time of year, many of us recieve e-mails, or see messages posted on Facebook and other social websites suggesting that as we prepare our Christmas cards for family and friends, we also send a card to a recovering soldier at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Sounds like a good idea, right? Don't do it. This Snopes.com article, last updated November 16, 2011, has a thorough explanation of why it doesn't work. However, as the article goes on to explain, the American Red Cross's Holiday Mail for Heroes is a valid option, if you do want to send a card to a soldier. According the the Red Cross, "Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country."

The mailing address for the program is:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights MD 20791-5456

However, please visit the Holiday Mail for Heroes website and read the card guidelines. Be aware that this year's deadline is Friday, December 7th!

Happy holidays!

Stimulus for Seniors/Disabled

wag.mado@evpl — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:19:00 GMT

With all the talk regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, many who are retired or disabled have been wondering how they will recieve their stimulus money. According to the Internal Revenue, a one time payment of $250.00 will be made to Social Security recipients, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, disabled veterans, and Railroad Retirement benficiaries. The Social Security Administration Online states that no action is needed to attain these stimulus payments. Recipients should automatically receive their money by the end of May 2009, in the same manner they normally receive their benefits. SSA also provides a very useful Frequently Asked Questions page and provides a phone number for those who do not receive their stimulus by June 4. You can even sign up for FAQ update notifications through your email if you choose.

Indiana Veterans of World War I

seeker@evpl — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:53:00 GMT

Do you have a family member who served during World War I, the "war to end all wars""? The original federal military records were lost in a fire in St Louis, so a 5-year project is researching the Indiana Veterans of World War I. Among other resources used, Service Records of Vanderburgh County by Ethel F. McCoullough and C.F. Hammerstein covers 4,537 local veterans, so we are well represented. The site also includes information from interviews from returning veterans: home front stories, camp life, hospital experiences, women in service, P.O.W. memories and explanations of the various brances of service.

Check out the names of veterans you've heard of and see how well they're represented. If you are aware of a veteran who is not listed or have additional information, you can contribute anything you know about him or her by emailing Jan Mattingly at WWVets@Gmail.com.

DOD website centralizes health info for wounded vets

googler@evpl — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:03:00 GMT

The Defense Department has launched a new website designed to help service members and their families find health information and the assistance to which they're entitled.

The portal has links to health-related programs and resources offered by the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Defense Department, and Veterans Affairs Department. The site also provides access to the Wounded Warrior Resource Center (800-342-9647), which offers information and other resources, and the Compensation and Benefits Handbook for injured or seriously ill service members.

The new portal is part of an effort to improve the medical treatment of service members and "make it easier for troops and their families to benefit from all the assistance available to them," said Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Gates has designated November as Warrior Care Month.