Each month, Emmet County Veterans Affairs Director Jim Alton writes a column with news for vets and their families. Here is his September column.
To read past columns, click here.
Reconstructing lost Army records
A fire in 1973 destroyed 80 percent of Army personnel records for soldiers discharged between Nov. 1, 1912, to Jan. 1, 1960, and 75 percent of the Air Force records of Airmen discharged between Sept. 25, 1947 and Jan. 1, 1964 (with surnames beginning with Hubbard and running through the end of the alphabet). Veterans whose records have been lost can fill out a specific form by clicking here that authorizes the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) to search for other types of documents that would assist the veteran with their VA healthcare access or compensation claim, or for valuable research their family member’s service history. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs web site.
Need some help getting around?
If you or a family member is in need of mobility assistance, the Emmet County Veterans Affairs Department has power chairs, canes, crutches, etc. available to borrow, at no cost. Call our office and we will be happy to get you moving! (231) 348-1780
Relatively unknown VA benefits
Here are several ancillary Department of Veterans Affairs 2015 programs some veterans may not be aware of:
(1) Aid and Attendance — Veterans may be eligible to receive money to cover the cost of nursing homes, assisted living programs and other long-term care options;
(2) Burial Benefits — Provides a U.S. Flag to drape over the veteran’s casket, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and a free gravestone or head marker;
(3) GI Bill — Offers up to $2,000 to help cover the cost of certification courses or other vocational training programs.;
(4) Life Insurance — Veterans may receive up to $400,000 in life insurance through Veterans’ Group Life Insurance program;
(5) Housing Assistance – Mortgage repayment assistance and additional benefits for homeless veterans. Go online or contact our office for assistance.
Veterans/dogs program at LTBHS
Our office, in conjunction with Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, has been working with veterans to help train dogs at the Humane Society in order for them to become more adoptable. We have had three teams of two vets each go through the program with great success for both the dogs and the veterans. It is a four-week training course once or twice a week. If you or you know of a veteran who might benefit from this program, please call my office ASAP. We would like to get the fall program going by end of September.
Jim Alton is the Director of the Veterans Affairs Department within Emmet County. Alton served in the United States Marine Corps (1955-62) and is retired from the Michigan State Police. Reach him or his assistant, Rick Wiertalla, at (231) 348-1780 or [email protected]
Petoskey Veterans’ Memorial: Donations needed
The City of Petoskey Parks and Recreation Department is looking for financial assistance at the Veterans Memorial in Pennsylvania Park. The landscape is in need of repair and they are looking at $1,000 to $1,500 to repair and replace the landscaping. If you are so inclined to assist them, please call the Parks and Rec Dept at the City of Petoskey; (231) 347-2500. Let’s not let our Veterans’ Memorial look anything but first class!
