Veteran’s Health Care Options

In August 2014, President Obama signed into law the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act (VACAA) of 2014, which directed the establishment of a new program to better meet the health care needs of our nation’s Veterans. The law directs the establishment of a Veterans Choice Card benefit that allows eligible Veterans who live more than 40 miles from a VA facility or are unable to get a VA appointment within 30 days of their preferred date, or are within 30 days of the date determined medically necessary by their physicians, to obtain approved care in their community instead.

If you are a veteran and are already enrolled in VA health care, the Choice Program allows you to get health care from non-VA doctors. Using this program does NOT impact your existing VA health care, or any other VA benefit.

More information is available at the Veteran’s Administration’s Veterans Choice Program website.

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Visit a Vet during National Salute to Veteran Patients Week

National-Salute_Logo-COLORThe week of February 14th each year is your opportunity to say thank you to a special group of men and women, more than 98,000 Veterans of the U.S. armed services who are cared for every day in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, outpatient clinics, domiciliaries, and nursing homes. The 2015 National Salute program is scheduled for the week of February 8th – 14th.

During the National Salute, the VA invites individuals, Veterans groups, military personnel, civic organizations, businesses, schools, local media, celebrities, and sports stars to participate in a variety of activities at the VA medical centers. The activities and events include special ward visits and valentine distributions; photo opportunities; school essay contests; special recreation activities and Veteran recognition programs. Plan a visit with local Veterans at the Stratton VA Medical Center, 113 Holland Avenue (135), Albany, NY 12208-3410 from February 8th thru the 14th.

The purpose of the National Salute to Veteran Patients Program is to:

  • Pay tribute and express appreciation to Veterans.
  • Increase community awareness of the role of the VA Medical Center.
  • Encourage citizens to visit hospitalized Veterans and to become involved as volunteers.

Last year the Stratton VA Medical Center hospital was filled the entire week with military personnel visiting in their uniforms and members of the public. Nothing lifts the spirits of our Veterans more than having members of the Armed Forces and others visit and spend time with them.

For more information please contact James J. Keller Jr., Voluntary Services Officer, Stratton VA Medical Center at 518-626-5506 or by E-mail.

2014 VA “Adopt -A-Vet” Holiday Program

remember-vetswithbow_225x225_thumbThe annual Holiday gift donation program for HUD-VASH & Veterans in need is now underway. Each year has been more successful; the first year the VA helped 8 Veteran families, last year, VA employees and many other community groups and agencies helped a total of 40 Veteran families in HUD-VASH and other programs. This year the VA has a list of over 40 Veterans in need who have requested items for their families this Holiday Season.

This donation program is part of Voluntary Services Holiday outreach for Veterans. A “needs” list of gifts that can be donated is being be maintained by Mike Fitzpatrick and Noney Grier. If you wish to fulfill a Family’s needs or a portion of it, or have any questions, please contact Mike Fitzpatrick at 518-626-6919 or Noney Grier at 518-626-5507.

All gifts must be brand new in original packaging and unwrapped. Gifts can be dropped off at the: Stratton VA Medical Center, 113 Holland Avenue, Room 304 or 305 “B” wing (Voluntary Services), Albany, NY 12208

In addition, rolls of wrapping paper will also be accepted and the VA will be scheduling volunteer “working parties” to help wrap the gifts at the VA prior to distribution out to Veteran families.

Thank you in advance for your continued support of our Veterans!

A Prayer for Veteran’s Day

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We thank Thee, Lord, for America, our home. We bless Thee for the liberty, the opportunity, and the abundance we share. But above all we praise Thee for the traditions which have made our country great, and for the patriots who have laid the foundations through faith, courage, and self-sacrifice. Teach us in our own day the meaning of citizenship, and help us to be faithful stewards of the responsibility which Thou entrusted to us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — A Prayer for our Country from A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church

6th Annual “To Honor and Serve” Veterans Day Breakfast

Please join the Unified Military Affairs Council (UMAC) at the 6th Annual “To Honor and Serve” Veterans Day Breakfast on Friday, November 7 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Glen Sanders Mansion, One Glen Avenue, Scotia.

Local “celebrities” will serve breakfast to our honored guests, active military and veterans from around the Capital Region.

We will welcome keynote speaker Captain Jamie Pierce, a third-generation graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy (1985), and a designated Naval Aviator with more than 2900 flight hours in the SH-60B Seahawk.

Assignments ashore include serving as Chief of Staff to ComNavBase Charleston, and command of Reserve Units supporting OPNAV N4 in the Pentagon, US European Command in Stuttgart Germany, and the Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence in Norfolk VA. He also served as the Navy Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (NEPLO) to New York State. In March 2013, he was mobilized to Afghanistan for one year, serving as ISAF’s Senior Aviation Advisor to the Afghan Ministry of Defense. Upon return in March 2014, he took on the duties as the Deputy Reserve Component Commander for Navy Region Midwest.

Captain Pierce holds a Bachelor of Science degree (with distinction) in Naval Science and earned a master’s in National Security Affairs (Strategic Planning) from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1990.

In his civilian capacity, he is the GM for Customer Projects for North & South America with GE Power and Water. He is married to the former BJ Heiner of Schenectady and has three fantastic sons: Taylor (LTjg, USN, aboard the mighty warship ANCHORAGE), Garrett (a school teacher in Germany), and Cameron (a lacrosse player at LeMoyne University).

Cost is $20 per guest and $5 for active military and veterans. Register via the Schenectady Chamber of Commerce website.

Veterans Career Network Opportunities

Veterans, get assistance from human resource professionals every Thursday from 10:30—12 noon at the Stratton VA Medical Center, 113 Holland Ave, Room 603C, Albany, NY 12208

Upcoming presentations by Century Solar Supply/Questar III on November 6th and Upstate Transit of Saratoga on November 20th. For more information call 518-626-5150. Drop-ins are welcome.

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Veterans’ Law Day

Albany Law School will host its next Veterans’ Law Day on October 18th from 9-5 PM at the Albany Law School, 80 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208​. These sessions include free consultations with a pro bono attorney

Free services provided include: All legal services; Employment; Small business; Peer mentoring; Education consulting​; Debt/financial counseling; Therapeutic animal services.

To schedule a free consultation with a pro bono attorney contact Sarah Barry by E-mail or leave a voicemail at 518-445-2365.

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A Prayer for Veteran’s Day

We thank Thee, Lord, for America, our home. We bless Thee for the liberty, the opportunity, and the abundance we share. But above all we praise Thee for the traditions which have made our country great, and for the patriots who have laid the foundations through faith, courage, and self-sacrifice. Teach us in our own day the meaning of citizenship, and help us to be faithful stewards of the responsibility which Thou entrusted to us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — A Prayer for our Country from A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church

Reflection for the 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

I’ve been drafted!
I will go and serve.

“‘Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.'”

The widow of Zarephath and the widow who contributed to the treasury both did incredible acts of charity. Both gave totally of themselves for the good of others. They gave all they had, not out of surplus. In their giving they placed their faith in the God who provides, God who the psalmist says:

…keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, sets captives free, gives sight to the blind, raises up those who were bowed down, loves the just, protects strangers, who sustains the fatherless and the widow.

As we reflect today, on this Veterans Day we should recall that our veterans, our service men and women have done exactly the same. Even if wealthy, they decided to place their all on the line to serve – not just their country – but the cause of freedom for their brothers and sisters.

Whatever we do, we have the God given freedom to decide. When drafted, we might choose to go, just because of the law. When we are confronted with Jesus’ command to love and serve others, whether we are clergy or laity, we may follow His commandments just because we are afraid of God’s punishment. That may be sufficient – to follow the law, or to do because we are afraid of punishment, but our faith calls us to do these things out of a greater purpose.

That purpose is God’s call to love, to lean on Him who is our protector, advocate, strength, and teacher.

When we decide to ‘go and serve,’ to give our all, we fulfill the commandment of love – loving God by doing His will and loving our brothers and sisters to the point of sacrificing ourselves for them.

The widows did that. The widow chose to prepare bread and give water to Elijah even though she and her son would be left with almost nothing. The widow gave her last pennies to the treasury for charity.

Jesus had portrayed the religious leaders who feigned piety; accepted honor from people, and stole from widows as living without love, without even acting out of obligation to the law or fear of the Lord. They chose wrongly – and served themselves, not love.

Our call is to live like our veterans, in love and service toward others – and to do so out of love. Let us honor them for their right choice and choose rightly ourselves.