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Archive CALENDAR AND MINUTES: June 23, 2008
City Hall – Committee Room “B” (1st Floor) 117 West Duval Street Jacksonville, FL
Opening Ceremonies:
Chairman, Hallie Williams-Bey opened the meeting and invocation was given
by Chaplain, Lizette Kirby. The Council joined in the Pledge of Allegiance led by
2nd Vice Chairman, Bernard Reed.
Motioned by Bernard Reed, 2nd Barbara White that the minutes be approved
with corrections if any. Motion carried.
Financial
report by our Treasurer, Barbara White: Regular: $1540.32 Emergency: $1019.82 Motioned
by Bernard Reed, 2nd Lizette Kirby, that the financial report be accepted – pending audit. Motion
carried.
Guests Introduced: Mr. Joseph Burden 1st
African Chamber of Commerce
Honorable Clay Yarborough City
Councilman, District #1 Graciously received as the Council’s liaison for JAX City Council !!
It was
expressed through the Council that Kathy Cayton, our former Secretary was absent due to her mother has experienced a heart
attack. Chairman Williams-Bey asked us to keep she and her family in our prayers.
VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)
State Convention was held last week, announced by 2nd Vice Chairman Bernard Reed.
State Representative Audry
Gibson is hosting a Community Picnic. Fliers available with details for members’ convenience. Community
Career Fair Work Source information is also available with details for those interested at tonight’s meeting.
Chairman
announced that a Foreclosure Workshop to help home owner Veterans with problems is now available and they are welcomed to
come to the VA Center for assistance.
Governor Charlie Crist has signed a few significant bills; i.e. House Bill #861
(FLA Vets Fund) and House Bill #1027 (Military Tags).
Plans are underway for the Purple Heart Ceremony on August 7th at 7pm.
The Council will support the MOPH (Military Order of Purple Heart) and ready for any assistance needed. Chairman
is Dave Seamans.
The National Disabled American Veterans hosted their annual convention this year in Las Vegas; reported
by CMDR John Markiewicz. A big hit is always the tremendous and generous support by the Harley Davidson Corporation.
Flag Day
Ceremony was be held 6pm on June 14th. Every Friday prior to Flag Day, it is recommended that all
wear red shirts and carry flags in a united show of American spirit for our country’s symbol.
New VA Cemetery will cover
South Georgia and North Florida. 1st interment will be in December. Will start to relocate others
in about 2 years. Meeting scheduled for Wednesday in the Hadlow Bldg of Hospice (Sunbeam Rd) at 7pm. The
Council will be responsible for “ceremonial shovels”.
At this time, we are not aware
of any programs/ceremonies, etc. for the 4th of July holiday.
Our Treasurer, Barbara White, asked any organization
interested in setting down flags the day before Memorial Day and remove the flags the day after to please contact her for
next year.
Representative Clay Yarborough gave details about the VA Nursing Home Groundbreaking Ceremony. Fliers
were distributed with information, time of activities and a map.
Our guest, Mr. Joseph Burden, made a special presentation
on behalf of the 1st African Chamber of Commerce: This organization promotes businesses, service and
programs within the community. Also provides an all-around service supported by the city Human Resources Division;
Work Force Programs and a minority outreach & mentorship program is planned with their partner insurance corporations,
including State Farm, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, and Met Life to coordinate financial plan strategies. Info line
is 652-1500.
Dave Seamans, SGT at Arms, suggested a Land, Air & Sea Museum for the Veterans Community and Representative
Clay Yarborough said he would look into the possibilities.
Chairman Williams-Bey thanked everyone for their presence and looks forward to their
attendance at the next meeting scheduled for July 28th at 7:00 pm. Attendance:
15.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT: None… “Welcome aboard Delegates, Alternates and Organization Members”
With no
further business, closing ceremonies commenced with prayer by our Chaplain, Lizzette Kirby and salute to the Flag led by SGT
at Arms, Dave Seamans.
Northeast Florida Veterans Council
UPCOMING EVENTS:
June 24 | Community Career Fair | June 28 | VA State Nursing Home Groundbreaking
Ceremony, St. Johns County | June 30 | Minority Business Outreach Program | July 4 | Fleet Reserve Post #91 (Collins Road); 12:00 Noon | July 12 | Community Day Picnic sponsored by
Representative Audrey Gibson | August 7 | Purple Heart Trail Ceremony |
Available
HANDOUTS: Foreclosure Prevention Workshop: contact www.familyfoundations.org or phone 904-396-4846 State Representative Audrey Gibson 6th Annual District #15 Community Day Picnic VA State
Nursing Home Groundbreaking Ceremony in St. Johns County Minority Business Outreach Program sponsored by 1st African American
Chamber of Commerce Community Career Fair WorkSource – Villages of Baymeadows
Submitted by: Denise Mathis, Executive Secretary Hallie
Williams-Bey, NEFVC Chairman Minutes
of the Northeast Florida Veterans Council
June 23, 2008
City Hall – Committee Room “B”
(1st Floor) 117 West Duval Street Jacksonville, FL
Opening
Ceremonies: Chairman, Hallie Williams-Bey opened the meeting and invocation
was given by Chaplain, Lizette Kirby. The Council joined in the Pledge of Allegiance
led by 2nd Vice Chairman, Bernard Reed.
Motioned by Bernard Reed, 2nd Barbara White that the minutes be approved
with corrections if any. Motion carried.
Financial
report by our Treasurer, Barbara White: Regular: $1540.32 Emergency: $1019.82 Motioned
by Bernard Reed, 2nd Lizette Kirby, that the financial report be accepted – pending audit. Motion
carried.
Guests Introduced: Mr. Joseph Burden 1st
African Chamber of Commerce
Honorable Clay Yarborough City
Councilman, District #1 Graciously received as the Council’s liaison for JAX City Council !!
It was
expressed through the Council that Kathy Cayton, our former Secretary was absent due to her mother has experienced a heart
attack. Chairman Williams-Bey asked us to keep she and her family in our prayers.
VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)
State Convention was held last week, announced by 2nd Vice Chairman Bernard Reed.
State Representative Audry
Gibson is hosting a Community Picnic. Fliers available with details for members’ convenience. Community
Career Fair Work Source information is also available with details for those interested at tonight’s meeting.
Chairman
announced that a Foreclosure Workshop to help home owner Veterans with problems is now available and they are welcomed to
come to the VA Center for assistance.
Governor Charlie Crist has signed a few significant bills; i.e. House Bill #861
(FLA Vets Fund) and House Bill #1027 (Military Tags).
Plans are underway for the Purple Heart Ceremony on August 7th at 7pm.
The Council will support the MOPH (Military Order of Purple Heart) and ready for any assistance needed. Chairman
is Dave Seamans.
The National Disabled American Veterans hosted their annual convention this year in Las Vegas; reported
by CMDR John Markiewicz. A big hit is always the tremendous and generous support by the Harley Davidson Corporation.
Flag Day
Ceremony was be held 6pm on June 14th. Every Friday prior to Flag Day, it is recommended that all
wear red shirts and carry flags in a united show of American spirit for our country’s symbol.
New VA Cemetery will cover
South Georgia and North Florida. 1st interment will be in December. Will start to relocate others
in about 2 years. Meeting scheduled for Wednesday in the Hadlow Bldg of Hospice (Sunbeam Rd) at 7pm. The
Council will be responsible for “ceremonial shovels”.
At this time, we are not aware
of any programs/ceremonies, etc. for the 4th of July holiday.
Our Treasurer, Barbara White, asked any organization
interested in setting down flags the day before Memorial Day and remove the flags the day after to please contact her for
next year.
Representative Clay Yarborough gave details about the VA Nursing Home Groundbreaking Ceremony. Fliers
were distributed with information, time of activities and a map.
Our guest, Mr. Joseph Burden, made a special presentation
on behalf of the 1st African Chamber of Commerce: This organization promotes businesses, service and
programs within the community. Also provides an all-around service supported by the city Human Resources Division;
Work Force Programs and a minority outreach & mentorship program is planned with their partner insurance corporations,
including State Farm, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, and Met Life to coordinate financial plan strategies. Info line
is 652-1500.
Dave Seamans, SGT at Arms, suggested a Land, Air & Sea Museum for the Veterans Community and Representative
Clay Yarborough said he would look into the possibilities.
Chairman Williams-Bey thanked everyone for their presence and looks forward to their
attendance at the next meeting scheduled for July 28th at 7:00 pm. Attendance:
15.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT: None… “Welcome aboard Delegates, Alternates and Organization Members”
With no
further business, closing ceremonies commenced with prayer by our Chaplain, Lizzette Kirby and salute to the Flag led by SGT
at Arms, Dave Seamans.
Northeast Florida Veterans Council
UPCOMING EVENTS:
June 24 | Community Career Fair | June 28 | VA State Nursing Home Groundbreaking
Ceremony, St. Johns County | June 30 | Minority Business Outreach Program | July 4 | Fleet Reserve Post #91 (Collins Road); 12:00 Noon | July 12 | Community Day Picnic sponsored by
Representative Audrey Gibson | August 7 | Purple Heart Trail Ceremony |
Available
HANDOUTS: Foreclosure Prevention Workshop: contact www.familyfoundations.org or phone 904-396-4846 State Representative Audrey Gibson 6th Annual District #15 Community Day Picnic VA State
Nursing Home Groundbreaking Ceremony in St. Johns County Minority Business Outreach Program sponsored by 1st African American
Chamber of Commerce Community Career Fair WorkSource – Villages of Baymeadows
Submitted by: Denise Mathis, Executive Secretary Hallie
Williams-Bey, NEFVC Chairman
Minutes of the
Northeast Florida Veterans Council
March 24, 2008 — 7PM
City Hall — Committee Room “B” (1st Floor)
117
West Duval Street
Jacksonville, FL
Opening Ceremonies: Chairman, Hallie Williams-Bey opened
the meeting and invocation was given by Chaplain, Lizette Kirby. The Council joined in the Pledge of Allegiance led by 2 Vice
Chairman, Bernard Reed.
Motioned by Kathy Caton, 2’ Elbert Sawley, that the minutes be approved with
corrections if any. Motion carried.
Financial Account reported by our Treasurer, Barbara White:
Regular: $1183.57
Emergency: $1019.82
Finance report accepted.
Chairman Williams asked the Secretary to establish
a paper trail for communications and maintain copies of correspondences, to be a part of our permanent record with minutes
and various handouts distributed at monthly meetings.
OLD BUSINESS
Former Vice
Chair. Bob Spruill’s body has been requested by his brother to be sent to Bushnell to be deposited. This is
being entrusted to Victor Glover Solomon Funeral Directors who currently has possession of the Remains. The City of Jacksonville
is out of the coordination for this process.
Flags for the Veterans Arena is still in the works. Hopefully to finalized
by Veterans Day of this year.
NEW BUSINESS
Council Members are asking to place schedules/activities
information on paper either through a mailout list, eMail distribution or Newsletter.
This will be complied with between
the Vice Chairmen and Secretary to the best of their ability. American Legion Riders is sponsoring their 5th Annual
Ride in memory of Bob Spruill on May 10, 2008. Motioned by Kathy Caton; 2 Elbert Sawley to donate $200 towards this effort
from the Northeast Florida Veterans Council. Motion carried.
Planning to have the new National Cemetery
Director and a representative from Community Hospice at our next meeting. Chairman is asking all to please make every effort
to join us.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
April 10
Wounded Warrior Project - Navy Wives Sponsor
Tour — Skinners Parkway__
April 12
Spread the Wealth — Fleet Reserve #126 (Blanding)
Flag Retirement — Mike Shad Ford; 4:30pm
April 24
Carrier Preview Movie, Channel 7-WJCT;
6:00 PM
May 10
American Legion Riders 5 Annual Ride in Memory of Bob Spruill
May
15
Military Appreciation Day Luncheon (Clay County Program); 11:30 AM
May 17
Florida
Fallen Heroes — Black Women Riders
May .1.-4
World of Nations
June 14
Flag Day (still awaiting suggestions for this program from the Council)
July 4
Fleet
Reserve Post #137 (Collins Road); 12:00 Noon
August 7
Purple Heart Trail Celebration
Anyone wishing to participate in the Memorial Day Service please notify our 2 Vice Chairman, Bernard Reed.
In the future the awesome presentation of the “Massing of Colors” will be a new standard at all Veteran programs.
(an idea birthed by our late Vice Chairman, Bob Spruill)
Chairman Williams-Bey thanked everyone for their presence
and looks forward to their attendance at the next meeting scheduled for April 28th at 7:00 pm. ATTENDANCE: 17.
Closing
Ceremonies performed with prayer led by Lizette Kirby, our Chaplain; and saluting of the flag led by 1 Vice Chairman
Dick Aquino.
Available HANDOUTS:
None...
MEMBERSHIP REPORT:
American Legion Post #197
(years 2008 and 2009)
The Retired Enlisted Association TREA”
Pacific War Veterans of America “PWVA”
"Welcome aboard Delegates, Alternates and Orginazation Members”
Submitted by: Denise Mathis, Executive
Secretary
Hallie Williams-Bey, NEFVC Chairman
Minutes of the Northeast Florida Veterans CouncilFebruary 25, 2008 – 7PM
City
Council Committee Room “B” (1st Floor) 117 West Duval Street Jacksonville, FL
Opening Ceremonies: Chairman, Hallie
Williams-Bey opened the meeting and invocation was given by Chaplain, Lizette Kirby.
The Council joined in the Pledge of Allegiance led by 1st Vice Chairman, Dick
Aquino.
Motioned by Elbert Saules, 2nd
David Pippin, that the minutes be approved with corrections if any. Motion carried.
Financial Account Reports: Regular: $1114.35 Emergency:
$1019.82 Finance report accepted.
Our Chairman
envisions to have some serious bylaws to use as guidelines for financial support and establish consistent procedures.
Dues will be enforced.
OLD BUSINESS Flags
for the Veterans Arena. Next meeting the Chair will have more information to discuss this in detail.
NEW BUSINESS Approaching the deadline for the City to turn over the NCA land to
give to the VA. This is 525 acres located at 4083 Lannie Road; Jacksonville, FL 32218-1247.
(north JAX near the Intl Airport and Pecan Park Road) The representative is Ms. Arlene Vincente –
Director for the Jacksonville Cemetery. First burials are planned for December, 2008 and a meeting is being held
tomorrow to find out details. Chairman Williams displayed charts and pictures of the cemetery area and land.
The Council is strongly supporting the efforts to secure participation for this. We are hoping to have
our Past 1st Vice Chairman, Bob Spruill, as one of the first honored bodies to be placed there.
The
state of Florida is establishing a Florida Veterans Coalition (in Tallahassee) basically similar to our NEFVC
structure and using our bylaws as an initial guide and we’re honored that they are using our constitution as a guide.
Meeting monthly with dues of $125 per year.
Florida Dept. of Veterans Affairs looking to have a direct service organization to have an avenue for donations
to off-set some of the financial funding. Rosalyn Phillips is our Division Chief for the Northeast Florida Veterans
Council.
Kathy Caton was just released from the hospital today. Please
keep her and her family in your prayers. Chaplain Lizzette Kirby will send her a card on behalf the Council and
Veterans.
UPCOMING EVENTS: - Navy Tri-Base Job Fair, March 12; 9 to 2pm – Morocco Shrine Center (St. Johns Bluff Road) sponsored
by the Navy Fleet and Family Support Centers of NAS Jacksonville, NSB Kings Bay and NS Mayport.
- The Veterans Stand Down will be May 2-3, 2008. Vice Chairman
Reed will have further info about this at our next Council Meeting.
- Anyone wishing to participate in the Memorial Day Service please notify
our 2nd Vice Chairman, Bernard Reed. In the future the awesome presentation of the “Massing
of Colors” will be a new standard at all Veteran programs. (an idea birthed by our late Vice Chairman, Bob
Spruill)
- Chairman
reminded all present to suggest something special on June 14th for Flag Day at our next Council meeting.
- Southeast Region of Fleet Reserves #147 (Navy branch) will have a get
together in June in Central Florida – check for some good hotel rates being offered.
- Vice Chairman Reed distributed the attached timeline for employment
avenues in the future for our reference.
Chairman Williams-Bey
thanked everyone for their presence and enjoyed the atmosphere tonight. Attendance: 15. Next meeting is scheduled for March 24th.
Closing Ceremonies performed with prayer led
by Lizette Kirby, our Chaplain; and saluting of the flag led by 1st Vice Chairman Dick Aquino.
Submitted
by: Denise Mathis, Executive Secretary Hallie
Williams-Bey, NEFVC Chairman
NEWS, PHOTO, LINKS
- - - - - - - - APPLICATION FOR THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN
VETERANS SOCIETY 2009 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMELIGIBILITY: The applicant/recipient
must be of Filipino-American descent and a dependent child of an Active duty, Reserve or Retired Military member and must
attend a four (4) year accredited college full-time. High School graduates applying for college or university for the first time must have a minimum
3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale to qualify. SELECTION: The Filipino American Veterans Society Scholarship Program Selection Board shall not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, or religious preference. Award is based on academic
achievement, character, demonstrated leadership or leadership potential, and extracurricular activities. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Applicants are
responsible for ensuring that ALL application material including high school transcripts are received by the Filipino
American Veterans Society prior to the deadline date. Applicants should take care to ensure applications are complete, legible,
and signed. AWARD: One student will
be awarded a certificate and $500.00 check from FAVS at a presentation ceremony to be held July 4th, 2009 at the
annual FAVS picnic. AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT: The scholarship
winner will be announced on Thursday, July 2, 2009. OPENING DATE: June 1, 2009 CLOSING
DATE: June 30, 2009 Website: www.filamvetsociety.com STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET___________________________ ______________________
__________ Last Name
First Name
Middle Initial _______________________________________________________________________________
Address
City
State Zip
Code ________M
/ F__________________________________________________________________Age Gender
Birth Date Place
of Birth (City / State / Country) _______________________________________ __________________
FAVS Member Full Name
Relationship _______________________________________________________________________________
Phone
Email
_______________________________________________
___________ High School Currently Attending
Grade
Level _______________________________________________________________________________ School Address
City
State Zip
Code _______________________ School Phone Number SCHOOL VERIFICATION REQUIRMENTa. G.P.A. _______
b. SAT Score _______ c. ACT Score _______
d. Community Service Hours _______Please have your school’s guidance staff confirm your Grade Point
Average and Community Service Hours and sign below.____________________________
_______________________________ ________
Name
Signature
TitleAPPLICATION CHECKLISTThe completed application package must be received by the Filipino American
Veterans Society on or before Tuesday, June 30, 2009. Please pay special attention to the items listed
below and ensure they are included: IMPORTANT INFORMATION1.
Completed Scholarship Application2.
Student Information Sheet (Ensure phone number and email address is current)3. Scholarship Activity
Information Forms4. One copy of Essay (Your full name on upper
right hand corner of each page)5. Two Letters of Recommendation 6.
Sealed High School Transcripts6.
Signed Signature Form PLEASE NOTE: It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit a complete and accurate application. The application must be completed
and submitted in one complete package.
Scholarship Activity Information(Attach separate sheet if needed) 1. List
school and community activities other than curricula:
| Activity | Office Held | FR | SO | JR | SR | Intra- Mural | Inter- School | DuringSchool | After
School | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2.
List Volunteer work (If any):
| Organization/ Address/ Phone | Supervisory
/ Positions / Tasks | From Mo/Yr | To
Mo/Yr | Hours Per Week | School
Year | Summer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
3. List Honors Awards (If any): | Scholastic Awards (Science, Math, National Merit, etc) | Non-Scholastic Awards (Music,
Athletic, Drama, etc.) | | | | | | | | | |
4.
List any Honor Societies you belong to such as National Honor Society, Cum Laude Society, etc. (If
any): 5.
College Career Plans / IMPORTANT
NOTE: PLEASE ATTACH COPY OF ACCEPTANCE LETTER IF AVAILABLE | Which
college(s) do you plan to attend? | | | | | | |
6. Which
field(s) do you plan to major? 7.
Which career field do you plan to enter and why? 8. Respond to the following topic in an essay.
The essay should have a maximum of 500 words, and must be typed and double spaced, two
pages maximum. “How has your cultural heritage as an Asian American influence your life and what long
term goals do you plan to contribute to society?” |
9. Letter of Recommendation Please
provide two letters of recommendation from a teacher, church leader, coach or other person in a leadership or mentorship position
to recommend you for this scholarship. This letter must be typed, one page only. |
If I am
awarded this scholarship, I understand and affirm the award will be used for the sole purpose of paying for college-related
expenses. In addition, I certify that the information provided is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand
that the material I am submitting will not be returned. I also understand that in the event I am awarded
the scholarship that the information and material I submit may be submitted by FAVS for public announcement. _____________
Required if student will not be 18 years of age by application
deadline of June 30, 2009 APPLICATIONSCompleted application forms together with all required enclosures must be sent not later than
Monday, June 29, 2009 to: 2009 FAVS Scholarship Program
c/o Bob Bontilao
1671 Misty Lake Drive,
Fleming Island, FL, 32003
PLEASE NOTE:The above application materials must be sent together in one complete package. Please pay special attention to all instructions.
Failure to follow instructions is ground for withdrawal of your application for consideration.GOOD LUCK!  CHRIS VIOLA / The Florida Times Union CHRIS VIOLA/The Times-Union
The new Department
of Veterans Affairs St. Marys Community Based Outpatient Clinic chief medical officer Dale Brown shows off one of the 10 exam
rooms of the clinic, which is set to see its first patient today. The clinic will handle primary care and mental health and
a state Veterans Service Officer will visit once a week on Thursdays. The clinic will be open Monday through Friday from 8
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but will be closed the first Tuesday of the month for staff training. Last modified 9/24/2008 - 8:51 am
Originally created 092408
The clinic is open to all retired veterans; more than 6,000
live in the area.
By Gordon Jackson, The Times-Union
ST. MARYS - A new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic opens today in St. Marys, saving thousands
of area veterans long drives for medical treatment and advice about benefits. The 7,000-square-foot
building includes primary medical and mental health care, as well as state Department of Veterans Service counseling on a
variety of benefits including education and home loans. The clinic will be fully staffed by December with 20 doctors,
nurses, lab technicians and a pharmacist, said Dale Brown, the facility's chief medical officer. "A veteran can
come here from anywhere," Brown said. "There are no geographic restrictions." Clinic officials estimate
they will treat 5,000 patients from the region during the next year. One of the advantages of the St. Marys location
is its close proximity to the Southeast Regional Health System's hospital. Brown said the clinic is designed for outpatient
treatment, but if patients need immediate hospitalization, they will be sent across the street to the hospital. Howard
Sepp, administrator of the Camden facility, said the hospital will provide lab work for patients with health problems that
need immediate attention. Patients referred to the hospital by clinic doctors will be treated and stabilized until they can
be moved to a VA hospital. "We're going to work closely with them," Sepp said. "We're getting lots of
positive response." Ed Buczek, a spokesman at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, said the clinic will make it much
easier for retired veterans from all branches of the military to get medical assistance. "Now they won't have to
go to Valdosta, Savannah, Lake City or Gainesville," he said. "It will save them lots of time and money." Terry
Smith, manager of the Department of Veterans Service's Brunswick office, said he will have a representative in the clinic
one day a week beginning in October to help veterans fill out paperwork for benefits. The goal is to eventually staff the
office five days a week. "It's one stop if veterans need work on their claims," Smith said. "We've got
over 6,000 people [retired veterans] in this area, and it's growing. We've been looking for this a long time." Chris
Daniel, director of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce, said the new clinic is a significant step in helping the thousands
of retired veterans living in the region. "We get calls all the time from people who have moved here with questions
about facilities and services available to military retirees," she said. "It's another selling point for the county." Veterans
may make appointments by calling (912) 510-3420. gordon.jackson@jacksonville.com, (912)
729-3672 |
CLYDE E. LASSEN USN
FLORIDA NURSING
HOME
ST. JOHN COUNTY , FLORIDA
RIBBON CUTTING JUNE 28, 2008, 1000 HOURS
NORTHEAST FLORIDA VETERANS COUNCIL NEWS:
VA Cemetery named....”Jacksonville VA National Cemetery”
Page 1 of 2
This was our preferred choice!!! © ©
VA Names New National
Cemetery in Jacksonville
Vincenty Selected First Director
WASHINGTON (April 1, 2008) — The Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) has named the national cemetery to be constructed in Jacksonville. Fla., as the “Jacksonville VA National
Cemetery.”
“The veterans of northeastern Florida and southeastern Georgia deserve a final resting place worthy
of their service to our nation,” said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “Our newest national
cemetery in Florida will be a national shrine honoring them.”
The new cemetery is in the city of Jacksonville,
north of the Jacksonville International Airport and approximately five miles from Interstate 295 on 569 acres acquired from
the city. The cemetery will serve 189,000 veterans in the region who are not currently provided burial space by a nearby national
or state veterans cemetery.
VA selected Arleen Vincenty as the first director of the new national cemetery. She begins
her duties immediately.
Vincenty had been the director of the Puerto Rico National Cemetery since November
2006.
She was cemetery director at the Natchez National Cemetery in Mississippi; and
Fayetteville National Cemetery in Arkansas.
and the Salisbury National Cemetery Complex
in North Carolina.
VA anticipates construction of the first phase of
development to begin this summer. VA has awarded a $1.25 million contract to the firm of England, Thims & Miller of Jacksonville
to design the master plan for the project. Initial construction will prepare a small burial area to ensure that veteran burials
can take place before all phase one facilities are completed.
In addition to burial areas, phase one will consist of
approximately 50 acres, including roadways, an entrance area, an administration and public information center, a maintenance
complex with buildings, a maintenance yard and parking, a flag assembly area, a memorial walkway and committal service shelters.
Other infrastructure improvements will include grading, drainage, fencing, planting, an irrigation system and utilities.
Interment areas will include traditional full-casket gravesites. pre-placed crypts, in-ground cremated burial sites and
a columbarium for cremated remains.
Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children
are eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Other burial benefits for eligible veterans include a burial flag, a Presidential
Memorial Certificate, and a government headstone or marker — even if they are not buried in a national cemetery.
in the midst of the largest cemetery expansion since the Civil War, VA operates 125 national cemeteries in 39 states and
Puerto Rico. 33 soldiers’ lots and monument sites. More than 3.4 million Americans, including veterans of every war
and conflict — from the
VA Cemetery named.... “Jacksonville VA National Cemetery”
Page
2 of 2
Revolutionary War to the Global War on Terror — are buried in VA’s national cemeteries.
Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from the Internet at http://www.cem.va,gy or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at
1-800-827-1000.
Information about the Jacksonville VA National
Cemetery is available by calling the cemetery director at (904) 358-3510. <<10-07-26_Veterans_Ceremony_Application[1].pdf>>
UPCOMING EVENTS—For your calendar: Oct 2—Jacksonville
Marine Corps Half Marathon and 5K Oct 2—Military Appreciation Football Game—Jacksonville
University vs. San Diego State Oct 9—Touchdown for the Troops—Bolles School Oct 9—Tri-Base Navy Birthday Ball, Hyatt Oct 12—“The Art of
War” Exhibit Community Celebration—Cummer Museum—4 to 8 pm Oct 21—NS
Mayport Change of Command Oct 21-24—Jacksonville Salute to the Sea Services and National
Navy League Convention Oct 23-24—NAS Jacksonville Blue Angels Air Show Nov
5—Congressman Ander Crenshaw Salute to Veterans—NS Mayport Nov 5—Florida
Fallen Heroes Banquet, 6:30 p.m., Fire Fighters Hall Nov 6—US Marine Corps Birthday Ball--Hyatt Nov 7—St Johns County Veterans Council Celebration and Show, 3 pm, Flagler College Auditorium, St. Augustine Nov 8—Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce Military Appreciation Luncheon, Hyatt Nov 9—Armed Forces Night—Cummer Museum—4 to 8 pm Nov 10—Marine
and Navy Corpsmen Memorial Service—Evergreen Cemetery Nov 11—Beaches Veterans Memorial
Park Dedication, 1400—American Legion Nat’l Commander Clarence Hill keynote speaker Nov
11—Veterans Day—Parade in Downtown Jacksonville Nov 13—Chili Cook Off to support
Honor Air—Moosehaven in Orange Park Nov 13—Veterans Ball—Filipino-American
Veterans Society and VMA of Jacksonville, Hyatt. POC: Don Villanueva, 232-3621 Nov 14—Jacksonville
Jaguars Military Appreciation Day Nov 18—IA Appreciation Luncheon—NAS Jax, 1100—Speaker
ASN M&RA Juan Garcia Dec 27—All Service Academy Ball—Ocean Breeze Club—NS
Mayport May 21, 2011—First Coast Honor Air flig
NEWS,PHOTO AND UPDATES: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 18, 2008
VA to Provide Payments to Eligible Surviving Spouses Quick Action Taken to Resolve Problem Identified by Senate
Chairman WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced immediate
actions to quickly identify and pay surviving spouses who are eligible to receive a one-time compensation or pension payment
for the month of the veteran’s death. “This
benefit payment is long overdue to many of our beneficiaries,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.
“In these difficult economic times, it is imperative that we take aggressive action to fix this situation for
the families of our veterans.” Problems in VA’s implementation of a change in law that was effective in 1997
resulted in some surviving spouses not receiving the veteran’s compensation or pension payment for the month
of death. This problem was recently brought to VA’s attention by Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, chairman of
the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Peake immediately directed the formation of a special task
force to identify and pay the beneficiaries who never received the benefit or were inadvertently required to repay the money
issued for the month of a veteran’s death. Surviving
spouses most likely to be affected by this processing problem are those who never applied to VA for survivors’ benefits
following the death of a veteran. The task force is in the process
of reviewing VA’s payment records for veterans who died after December 31, 1996, and who are survived by a spouse.
The review will identify those to whom VA owes retroactive benefits for the month of the veteran’s death.
Current address information is being obtained for as many of these beneficiaries as possible. VA will begin issuing retroactive payments to eligible surviving spouses at the end of this month.
Payments will continue to be issued as additional unpaid beneficiaries are identified and VA is able to obtain current
address information. -More-
Benefits to Surviving Spouses
2/2/2/2 Because there are deceased veterans for whom VA does not
have marital status information, a special Survivors’ Call Center has been established for spouses who believe they
may be entitled to this retroactive month-of-death benefit. Surviving
spouses are encouraged to contact the Survivors’ Call Center at the toll-free telephone number, 1-800-749-8387.
Call center agents will assist surviving spouses in providing VA with the information needed to determine their eligibility.
The Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm central standard time.
Inquiries may also be submitted through the Internet at
http://www.vba.va.gov/survivorsbenefit.htm. VA is aggressively changing its processing procedures to ensure this benefit is correctly
paid to all surviving spouses in the future. VA’s disability payment
system will also be enhanced to automate the month-of-death payment for all eligible surviving spouses. # # # Fight
for a new vets clinic a war of its own
THE DELAYS You name it. The blueprints have changed, politicians have argued,
and Hurricane Katrina didn't help. THE FRUSTRATION Congress OK'd the project in 1997. Meanwhile, thousands of patients
are stuck with an old, small clinic.
By Charlie Patton, The Times-Union
After years of delay, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs officials say they have a target date for moving into a new outpatient clinic in Jacksonville: December
2011. For John Peterkin,
who at 79 is one of the youngest members of the Greatest Generation, the men and women who served in World War II, a wait
of four more years is unacceptable. Last year, 2,139 World War II veterans were treated at the outpatient clinic near downtown
Jacksonville, according to the VA. "Very few World War II veterans will be alive in 2012," Peterkin, a resident
of a retirement community in Ponte Vedra Beach, wrote in a letter he sent last month to several members of Congress. "It's
been way too long," conceded U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, a Republican from Jacksonville and a member of the House Appropriations
subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies. Congress authorized building the new
clinic in 1997. Some of the delay can be attributed to "the normal bureaucratic process," Crenshaw said. But
there have also been changes in plans, political disagreements and bad luck, he said. As a result, veterans are frustrated,
said Halley Williams-Bey, who served with the Marines in Vietnam and is chairman of the Northeast Florida Veterans Council.
"They should be frustrated," Crenshaw said. But, given their experience in the military, they aren't
necessarily surprised, Williams-Bey said. "We're used to hurry up and wait," he said. Too
old, too small VA officials don't argue that the Jacksonville outpatient clinic at 1833 Boulevard in Springfield
is too old and too small. "The building is old," said Debbie Ward, the clinic's administrative officer.
"We recognize it is old." "We're cramped for space," said Mary Kay Hollingsworth, spokeswoman
for the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. "That's true of all of our facilities." The
VA outpatient clinic moved into the building, just off Eighth Street at the eastern edge of the Shands Jacksonville campus,
in 1977. In those days, the clinic was dealing with a patient load of about 100 people a day, Ward said. Thirty years
later, that patient load has grown substantially. During the past fiscal year, the clinic averaged almost 500 patient visits
a day. Last month's patient load was even larger, about 700 a day, according to figures furnished by the VA. The
growth is expected to continue to increase with the return of veterans from Iraq - one of the factors that delayed construction
of a new clinic, Ward said. One thing after another In 2001, James Borland, who
was chief medical officer of the clinic and is now chief medical officer for all of the North Florida/South Georgia system,
announced that construction would begin in 2003. But that timetable was delayed when officials realized that a new
facility would have to be substantially larger than the current facility, Ward said. Another delay came in the fall
of 2004, after developers submitted bids for the project. Before he could sign a contract, the winning bidder died in an automobile
accident. Then Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, driving up the cost of building materials. As a result, the project
was delayed again when Shands Jacksonville balked at the cost of building an 800-space parking garage to be shared by the
clinic. Disagreements over the garage carried into 2006 and at one point the VA threatened to move the clinic to Cecil
Field. That was resisted by U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, a Jacksonville Democrat, who insisted the clinic needed to remain
in the downtown area. In a written statement last week, she said she considered it important to keep the clinic close to bus
lines and close to Shands Jacksonville. "The relationship with Shands will only help the quality of care for our
area veterans," she said. But although her statement was upbeat, in June 2006 she told the Times-Union that the
many delays had become disheartening. The impasse over the parking garage was finally resolved after the VA agreed
it could do without one, Hollingsworth said. Now plans for the new clinic, which will be built at 1640 Jefferson St.
just south of Shands, call for 300 parking spaces, all in surface lots. The current timetable has a developer being
picked in the spring of 2009, construction to begin in the summer of 2010 and the new clinic to open for business in December
2011. But Hollingsworth cautions that all dates remain tentative. Making do Meanwhile,
the building at 1833 Boulevard remains in business. Peterkin calls it "physically the worst veterans clinic I
have ever seen or read about." Ward said that is unfair. The building has problems, she conceded, and for
several years upgrades were put off because of the expectation the clinic would soon be moving. Now an effort is under
way to make improvements, she said. Shands, which owns the building and has offices on the top two floors, has agreed to replace
the two elevators, both slow and subject to frequent breakdowns. The carpeting in the building is being removed, replaced
by tile floors. Short-term solutions Some of the operations also are being moved.
The eye clinic has already been moved across the street into Shands. Early next year, a 4,000-square-foot building
on Salisbury Road near St. Luke's Hospital will become a new surgery center, housing gastroenterology, podiatry, orthopedics
and the wound clinic. There also are plans to lease a 2,000-square-foot building on Beach Boulevard to house the gynecology
clinic. The surgery center and the gynecology clinic will both be in leased buildings and will move back when the new
building is ready, Ward said. The new building should have about 100,000 square feet of space, a substantial increase
over the 63,000 in the current building, she said. That will not only relieve crowding, it will enable the clinic to
add staff, Ward said. Currently, the equivalent of about 180 full-time medical personnel are employed by the clinic. Another
50 to 60 medical personnel work as volunteers or contract employees, she said. As for the new building, "It's
going to come," Ward said. "And it's going to be needed." charlie.patton@jacksonville.com,
(904) 359-4413
VA clinic timeline 1977: Jacksonville veterans
outpatient clinic moves into the building at 1833 Boulevard. 1997: Congress authorizes
the construction of a new clinic in Jacksonville. 2001: Plans are announced to begin construction
on the new clinic in 2003. 2004 (spring): The process is delayed in order to design a
larger building. 2004 (fall): A contractor is selected but is killed in an automobile
accident before he can sign a contract. 2005: Hurricane Katrina raises construction costs
leading Shands Jacksonville to balk at building a parking garage to be shared by the new clinic. 2006:
The impasse over the parking garage is resolved by the decision to rely on surface parking for the new clinic. 2009 (spring): A contractor is scheduled to be selected. 2010 (summer):
Construction is scheduled to begin. 2011 (December): Building is scheduled to be
ready for occupancy. Sources: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Times-Union archives.~~~ THOUSANDS
IN NEED Last fiscal year, 21,441 veterans made a total of 122,129 visits to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs outpatient
clinic at 1833 Boulevard in Springfield. Here's a breakdown by era of service. (Note: Some individuals are included in
more than one era's total.) WWII: 2,139 Pre-Korea: 67 Korea: 2,093 Post-Korea: 950 Vietnam:
8,598 Post-Vietnam: 2,379 Desert Storm: 4,952 Other: 434 Source: U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs~~~T NEWS T NEWS T NEWS THE DELAYS You
name it. The blueprints have changed, politicians have argued, and Hurricane Katrina didn't help. THE FRUSTRATION Congress
OK'd the project in 1997. Meanwhile, thousands of patients are stuck with an old, small clinic.
By Charlie Patton, The Times-Union
After years of delay, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officials
say they have a target date for moving into a new outpatient clinic in Jacksonville: December 2011. For John Peterkin,
who at 79 is one of the youngest members of the Greatest Generation, the men and women who served in World War II, a wait
of four more years is unacceptable. Last year, 2,139 World War II veterans were treated at the outpatient clinic near downtown
Jacksonville, according to the VA. "Very few World War II veterans will be alive in 2012," Peterkin, a resident
of a retirement community in Ponte Vedra Beach, wrote in a letter he sent last month to several members of Congress. "It's
been way too long," conceded U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, a Republican from Jacksonville and a member of the House Appropriations
subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies. Congress authorized building the new
clinic in 1997. Some of the delay can be attributed to "the normal bureaucratic process," Crenshaw said. But
there have also been changes in plans, political disagreements and bad luck, he said. As a result, veterans are frustrated,
said Halley Williams-Bey, who served with the Marines in Vietnam and is chairman of the Northeast Florida Veterans Council.
"They should be frustrated," Crenshaw said. But, given their experience in the military, they aren't
necessarily surprised, Williams-Bey said. "We're used to hurry up and wait," he said. Too
old, too small VA officials don't argue that the Jacksonville outpatient clinic at 1833 Boulevard in Springfield
is too old and too small. "The building is old," said Debbie Ward, the clinic's administrative officer.
"We recognize it is old." "We're cramped for space," said Mary Kay Hollingsworth, spokeswoman
for the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. "That's true of all of our facilities." The
VA outpatient clinic moved into the building, just off Eighth Street at the eastern edge of the Shands Jacksonville campus,
in 1977. In those days, the clinic was dealing with a patient load of about 100 people a day, Ward said. Thirty years
later, that patient load has grown substantially. During the past fiscal year, the clinic averaged almost 500 patient visits
a day. Last month's patient load was even larger, about 700 a day, according to figures furnished by the VA. The
growth is expected to continue to increase with the return of veterans from Iraq - one of the factors that delayed construction
of a new clinic, Ward said. One thing after another In 2001, James Borland, who
was chief medical officer of the clinic and is now chief medical officer for all of the North Florida/South Georgia system,
announced that construction would begin in 2003. But that timetable was delayed when officials realized that a new
facility would have to be substantially larger than the current facility, Ward said. Another delay came in the fall
of 2004, after developers submitted bids for the project. Before he could sign a contract, the winning bidder died in an automobile
accident. Then Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, driving up the cost of building materials. As a result, the project
was delayed again when Shands Jacksonville balked at the cost of building an 800-space parking garage to be shared by the
clinic. Disagreements over the garage carried into 2006 and at one point the VA threatened to move the clinic to Cecil
Field. That was resisted by U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, a Jacksonville Democrat, who insisted the clinic needed to remain
in the downtown area. In a written statement last week, she said she considered it important to keep the clinic close to bus
lines and close to Shands Jacksonville. "The relationship with Shands will only help the quality of care for our
area veterans," she said. But although her statement was upbeat, in June 2006 she told the Times-Union that the
many delays had become disheartening. The impasse over the parking garage was finally resolved after the VA agreed
it could do without one, Hollingsworth said. Now plans for the new clinic, which will be built at 1640 Jefferson St.
just south of Shands, call for 300 parking spaces, all in surface lots. The current timetable has a developer being
picked in the spring of 2009, construction to begin in the summer of 2010 and the new clinic to open for business in December
2011. But Hollingsworth cautions that all dates remain tentative. Making do Meanwhile,
the building at 1833 Boulevard remains in business. Peterkin calls it "physically the worst veterans clinic I
have ever seen or read about." Ward said that is unfair. The building has problems, she conceded, and for
several years upgrades were put off because of the expectation the clinic would soon be moving. Now an effort is under
way to make improvements, she said. Shands, which owns the building and has offices on the top two floors, has agreed to replace
the two elevators, both slow and subject to frequent breakdowns. The carpeting in the building is being removed, replaced
by tile floors. Short-term solutions Some of the operations also are being moved.
The eye clinic has already been moved across the street into Shands. Early next year, a 4,000-square-foot building
on Salisbury Road near St. Luke's Hospital will become a new surgery center, housing gastroenterology, podiatry, orthopedics
and the wound clinic. There also are plans to lease a 2,000-square-foot building on Beach Boulevard to house the gynecology
clinic. The surgery center and the gynecology clinic will both be in leased buildings and will move back when the new
building is ready, Ward said. The new building should have about 100,000 square feet of space, a substantial increase
over the 63,000 in the current building, she said. That will not only relieve crowding, it will enable the clinic to
add staff, Ward said. Currently, the equivalent of about 180 full-time medical personnel are employed by the clinic. Another
50 to 60 medical personnel work as volunteers or contract employees, she said. As for the new building, "It's
going to come," Ward said. "And it's going to be needed." charlie.patton@jacksonville.com,
(904) 359-4413
VA clinic timeline 1977: Jacksonville veterans
outpatient clinic moves into the building at 1833 Boulevard. 1997: Congress authorizes
the construction of a new clinic in Jacksonville. 2001: Plans are announced to begin construction
on the new clinic in 2003. 2004 (spring): The process is delayed in order to design a
larger building. 2004 (fall): A contractor is selected but is killed in an automobile
accident before he can sign a contract. 2005: Hurricane Katrina raises construction costs
leading Shands Jacksonville to balk at building a parking garage to be shared by the new clinic. 2006:
The impasse over the parking garage is resolved by the decision to rely on surface parking for the new clinic. 2009 (spring): A contractor is scheduled to be selected. 2010 (summer):
Construction is scheduled to begin. 2011 (December): Building is scheduled to be
ready for occupancy. Sources: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Times-Union archives.~~~ THOUSANDS
IN NEED Last fiscal year, 21,441 veterans made a total of 122,129 visits to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs outpatient
clinic at 1833 Boulevard in Springfield. Here's a breakdown by era of service. (Note: Some individuals are included in
more than one era's total.) WWII: 2,139 Pre-Korea: 67 Korea: 2,093 Post-Korea: 950 Vietnam:
8,598 Post-Vietnam: 2,379 Desert Storm: 4,952 Other: 434 Source: U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs~~~T NEWS T NEWS T NEWS
The amendment
was agreed to.
AMENDMENT 36 OFFERED BY MR. WAMP
Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, I have an
amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. The Clerk
will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment
36 offered by Mr. WAMP:
At the end of the bill (before the short
title), insert the following:
SEC. ll. None
of the funds made available
in this Act may be used to modify the standards
applicable to the determination of the
entitlement of veterans to special monthly
pensions under sections 1513(a) and 1521(e) of
title 38, United States
Code, as in effect pursuant
to the opinion of the United States
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in the
case
of Hartness v. Nicholson (No. 04-0888, July
21, 2006).
The Acting CHAIRMAN. The gentleman
from Tennessee is
recognized
for 5 minutes.
Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, I will be
very brief.
My amendment is very simple. It
says that the VA can not modify current
standards that are used to make
special monthly benefit payments and
therefore protects that benefit payment
for U.S. veterans who are eligible
for it.
Earlier tonight the chairman
of the
House Veterans’ Affairs Committee offered
and withdrew two amendments
that would have decimated
the information
technology budget at the VA to
fund a new entitlement program for
Filipino veterans. Had those
amendments
passed, it would have stopped
key VA initiatives dead in their tracks.
We’re trying to get
the VA to
streamline operations, reduce the time
it takes to process claims, and increase
interoperability
between VA and DOD
medical records, not to mention that
the VA is going to need all of the $2.4
billion that
the President requested to
help it roll out or new GI Bill.
Earlier in the year the chairman of
the authorizing
committee tried to pay
for this bill by proposing to cut special
monthly pension benefits to U.S. veterans
currently
receiving these benefits.
Now, let’s be clear here. We support
those Filipino veterans who fell
alongside
U.S. forces in World War II.
But to provide them with a new benefit
to be paid for out of an account that
our
veterans will immediately feel the
impact of is wrong.
An ‘‘aye’’ vote on my amendment
will tell our veterans that their benefits
will not be cut and let them know
we are trying to do everything we
can
to get their claims processed as quickly
as possible.
I yield back.
Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman,
I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. The gentleman
from Texas is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. I’m glad to
support this amendment and thank Mr.
WAMP for bringing it to the floor.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. The question
is on the amendment offered by
the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr.
WAMP).
|
