Veteran's Corner

I arrived at 3:30 am at the Goldsby Community Center last Thursday and the parking lot was nearly full and over 80 Veterans were waiting on us to start processing their claims and answering questions about VA benefits. The volunteers who open the doors around 2 am and start signing folks in and making the coffee are tougher than me. We usually start working on claims by 4am and stop signing people in when we reach 150 or so. This usually occurs by 6am. The widows who stop by do not need to come in early. These ladies are moved up in line and are not required to wait more than necessary. I would like for them to be here by 7am if possible as sometimes there are several here.

We are in the process of training more helpers to take care of this group. While talking training, classes will be offered in Oklahoma City in September for anyone who wants to learn how to be a Veterans Service Officer. Most of our staff will attend as this is a great opportunity for us to learn more about helping our Veterans and Widows. If you have been thinking about volunteering your time here is your call to service! Stop by and let us know and we will get you in the training.

Last week there were 122 folks who stopped by seeking help with their VA claims and questions. Of this number 25 were seen for the first time 7 were rated at the 100% rate 18 received ratings from 10% to 80%. The rest were seen for follow up visits with their claims. Many of those who are just receiving the 100% rate do not know about the other benefits that they may qualify for. One of the most important is called CHAMP VA which is free medical insurance that is provided for the spouse and their young children. Another benefit for those rated at 100% provided by our state is no property tax charged for your primary residence and no sales tax when you purchase items from retailers. Our Veterans and their families are treated very well by our state government. Oklahoma is the most Veteran friendly state that I know of in my dealings with the VA. Another reason our Veterans are treated better is the Muskogee Regional VA Office because their staff goes above and beyond when working on each Veterans claim. Many times when we help Veterans from other states their claims and questions to their state offices remain denied until we send them to the appeals process in Washington DC where most are approved or remanded back to their state offices.

Our benevolence fund was used last week to help several families in need. We have an application that is used to qualify each person for benefits. Since we are limited to the number who can be approved only those most in need will qualify. Ray Harden @ 405-408-6950 is our go to man for request and for donations to help us provide this service. With your help we were able to purchase those new tires for our Veterans Corner van. Clayton Lee says that it drives better and is quieter with the new ones. Thanks to all that help support us to help our Veterans and Widows. If you would like to help us to provide for our needy Veterans and widows please contact Ray @ 405-408-6950. We are a 501(3)c non –profit and all donations are tax deductible for you. Donations are accepted through our website using Pay-Pal at www.veteranscorner.org or you can mail checks to Veterans Corner PO. Box 704 Washington, OK 73093.

Were you able to stop by and take a look at the Goldsby Veterans Memorial? Most everyday that I pass by there are visitors looking for someone’s name on the bricks around the Memorial and beside the Walk of Honor leading to the Memorial. If you have time stop by and talk to Mr. Harold Harvell about a brick for your Veteran. You can also call him @ 405-506-8755 for information about the bricks or any of the other items that he sells for fundraisers to help support the Memorial and Veterans Corner.

For all of your questions and assistance about Veterans benefits we are located at the Goldsby Community Center each Thursday. Our doors open at 1:30am each Thursday morning for sign in and we start processing veterans at 4am. We will continue to register folks until we reach 150 or so. Please be there early for us to help you with your claim. We do our best to process each one in a timely manner but be prepared to stay awhile and please be patient. Take time to visit our web address at www.veteranscorner.org.

You can contact me at 405-550-8806 or kdgraham@windstream.net      Semper Fi!

Dale K. Graham Post 4890 VFW Service Officer