TREA - Please Support Addition of Agent Orange Presumptive Diseases

TREA Members,

Unfortunately, tens of thousands of veterans are still suffering from health consequences associated with Agent Orange use in Vietnam. In response, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Senator Jon Tester (MT) introduced Amendment 1972 to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year (FY) 2021, S. 4049. In addition, Representative Josh Harder (CA) introduced Amendment 264 to the House NDAA for FY 2021, H.R. 6395. \

On July 14, TREA joined over 30 VSOs by sending letters to both House and Senate leadership in support of these amendments.

These amendments will provide compensation benefits for Vietnam veterans with the serious illnesses of bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism. Each of these diseases meets the scientific threshold of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and are linked to Agent Orange exposure. These three diseases have been pending for over three years and Congress can act now to add these conditions to the list of Agent Orange presumptive diseases.

As such, we are asking you to contact your Senators and Representatives to join us in this effort, so that tens of thousands of Vietnam War veterans can receive justice and the benefits they deserve.

We appreciate your support for TREA and your grassroots activism. Thank you for all you do for America’s service-disabled veterans and their families.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/xxQCtLYMJCvALmg3WPq3ww

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MCL - Commandants Message | Ground Pounder | Dues and More..

Marine Corps League - Department of New York E-Blast

In this e-blast: A Message from the Department Commandant The Ground Pounder PLM (Permanent Life Member) Audits Convention Checklist! Annual Membership

A Message from the Department Commandant! Members of the Department of New York, I wish to thank each and everyone of you for hanging in there and while still performing the duties of a member, be it an officer, a regular/associate member or an auxiliary member. Things have been hard during this pandemic. Too many of you were out of work or lost your jobs altogether. Some got sick or knew someone who did and sadly many have passed away. From what I have seen and heard, you still acted like a Marine, adapted, overcame and adjusted to all the new rules, the new “normal”. Your Department is hard at work handling issues, working with National, processing forms and completing other tasks as requested. We have been here for you. I personally have fielded over two dozen phone calls from your officers, referred issues and problems to the appropriate person or level. This is why I am here, your voice to National. I hear you; and we work to address the issues. We face uncertainty today that we have not faced to this magnitude since the Spanish flu of 1918. During that time, Marines were embroiled in battles of World War I while trying to stay healthy. Today, we have the COVID-19 pandemic, and face the resulting economic shutdowns and social distancing mandates because of it. Add in the civil unrest that we are seeing, and it makes for challenging times. Whether we agree with the reasoning or not, we have to keep in mind that we must maintain an even demeanor and honor our oath. We must think of that oath, strive to help our neighbors, and protect our cities. When we raised our hands and agreed to uphold the Constitution of the United States, it was unconditional and has no expiration. That being said, this is a very heated election year. As members of the Marine Corps League, we are prohibited from expressing an official view on politics, yet we have an opportunity to show the community that we are there for them. As we transition back to normal operations, we need to focus on how we can assist the community in which we live to show them that although we are no longer active duty, we are still here. Some of the activities we can look at could be food collection for the food bank, delivering meals to local emergency services (police and fire), and handing out bottled water with notes of support. These low-cost activities, among others, can demonstrate the impact that we can have in our local community. Keep up the fine work I know you are doing. I look forward to seeing you in October. Tom Wortmann Commandant

The Ground Pounder! The latest edition of the Department of New York newsletter, the Ground Pounder (2-20) is now available for downloading from the Department of New York Web site. If you have photos, articles of Marine Corps League & your Toys for Tots activities please submit them to the Ground Pounder editor, Tom Wortmann at railmarine@gmail.com.

PLM (Permanent Life Member) Audits The annual PLM (Permanent Life Member) Audits have been distributed to the Area Vice Commandant's for distribution to the Detachments in their area. If you have not received it yet, please contact your Area Vice Commandant. Here is are the instructions for the PLM Audits The PLM Audit is due back to the Department Adjutant No Later Than (NLT) 30 November 2020. Use the PLM Audit form provided. DO NOT SUBMIT A DETACHMENT ROSTER Each audit has had the following lines to the last/bottom page for each Detachment.   What each Detachment needs to do with the Audit Look at the list.  Add any life members that are not listed on the audit form for your Detachment. Notate any members that are deceased, (if there is a date in the TAPS column, then National has recorded the members passing, and should remain on the list for approximately 2 years). Remember if a member had passed, and if you have not already done so, please submit a Notice of Death to the Department Chaplain. Upon completion, both the Commandant and Paymaster must sign the bottom of the audit in the space provided and return to me, ASAP. If it’s not in my hands before 31 December, there is NO GUARANTEE that I can get it to National by their deadline. DO NOT WAIT! DO IT NOW! You can send it to me via Email as a PDF (use your scanner) [PREFERRED], or a Scanned JPG. I WILL NOT accept PHOTOS of the completed forms. If you cannot scan it, then send it via USPS mail to the Department PO Box: Marine Corps League PO Box 360 Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706-0360 DO NOT SUBMIT DIRECTLY TO NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS.  For a Detachment to receive a PLM dividend stipend, the following criteria must be met: Detachment must have submitted a ”Report of Officers Installation” within 1 year. A current 990-N filed with the IRS The PLM audit returned to National by 31 December (via the Department).  Those that do not meet the criteria, do not get their stipend.  Now you ask, return NLT 30 November, but it has to be at National by 31 December, here is why: We have procrastinators and we try chasing them to submit their audit, so that the Detachment can receive their dividend (assuming the other criteria is met). For me, December is a very busy month. I am an Marine Tots for Tots LCO coordinator (We serviced over 21,000 children last year), as such like so many other Marines, we are working on providing toys for the needy girls and boys. This year will be even more challenging with COVID-19. I am anticipating a greater demand, and the effect of COVID-19 has affected a lot of our donors. I am sure other campaigns within the State and Country will also be facing similar challenges. With that being said, a little more time is necessary to process what comes in, that is why I am asking for it before December. Convention Checklist! The Marine Corps League Department of New York’s 89th Annual Convention will be held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, located at 6646 Old Collamer Road South, East Syracuse, New York 13057 from 1 October 2020 to 3 October 2020. All information is in the Convention Packet. All forms in the packet can be filled out on your computer. Here is the Check list: Download the Convention Packet Make your Reservation: Call the hotel at (315) 446 – 3200 and advising them that you will be participating with the Marine Corps League - Department of New York Convention, or you can book your reservation online using this link: https://bit.ly/2YFwqp7. The room rate is $101.00 per night. The group rate may be extended three days before and three days after the official meeting dates, subject to space availability. To receive the guaranteed room rate, your reservation MUST be made by 1 September 2020. RSVP for the Banquet. We have a great menu. Don't forget to RSVP! Journal Ad: Support the Department by taking out a Journal ad for your Detachment, Auxiliary Unit, MODD, Business or just to say "Hi". Information on pricing is in the Convention Packet. This, we have reduced the prices. Show your support! Golf Outing: The Marine Corps League Foundation Inc., 7th Annual Golf outing is on 1 October. Get your team together and have a great day of Golf. You don't golf, no problem. Show you support by sponsoring a hole. Register your Detachment Delegates: We are recommending that Detachments register their delegates in advance. The advance registration rate is five ($5.00) dollars and must be postmarked by 16 September 2020, otherwise the registration fee per person is seven ($7.00) dollars.

Feedback Questions/Comments: Contact the Adjutant, Steve Topilnycky at spt1@mclwestchester.org

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American Legion - Post #620 Limited Reopening

All,


We will be reopening the Post on a limited schedule, Friday, Saturdays & Sundays from 12- 10 pm to start out. Everything is restricted to outside, there will be no sitting inside, we will adhere to the social distancing outside. When entering the building to use the rest rooms please wear a mask. The opening is strictly for members of the American Legion, Sons of the Legion, Boosters & Marine Corps League. Please make sure your dues are up to date and your membership cards are current.

Lets get this off to a good start!

Owen P. Mangan

Commander
American Legion Post #620

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NYC Veterans - Protecting Veterans from Eviction

From Patrick Caruso of Bronx Community Board #10 

NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter Protecting Veterans from Eviction     1 in 4 NYC tenants has not paid rent since March, placing many New Yorkers at risk of losing their homes. If you're a veteran worried about eviction, please contact DVS at connect@veterans.nyc.gov or 212-416-5250. Even as the DVS Housing and Support Services (HSS) team works remotely, they continue to find apartments, offer virtual tours, and do everything they can to rapidly house veterans in need. For support from HSS contact: Dana Rock, HSS Director (646) 901-4948 DanaRock@veterans.nyc.gov  Horng Chou, HSS Deputy Director (646) 532-1884 Hchou@veterans.nyc.gov For support regarding eviction prevention contact: Angela Guyton-Cyril (646) 740-8156 AGuyton-Cyril@veterans.nyc.gov   Additional Housing Resources   Rental Assistance for Veterans The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program provides rental assistance to eligible veterans. To receive services you must currently have a household income that does not exceed 50% of the area median income. Find more information about the SSVF program by visiting our Housing Resources page. You can also contact SSVF@va.gov or 877-737-0111. Eviction Protection for Veterans Impacted by COVID-19 New York's eviction moratorium is extended to August 20th for those who can prove financial hardship caused by COVID-19 or who qualify for unemployment. Your landlord cannot evict you or ask you to leave your apartment because you test positive for COVID-19. If your landlord attempts to remove you or discriminates against you due to your COVID-19 diagnosis, please file a complaint with the NYC Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) by calling 311 or file a report to CCHR online. Emergency Support NYC Human Resource Administration's Homebase program works with New Yorkers who are currently experiencing an immediate housing crisis. Homelessness prevention experts work to develop personalized plans designed to achieve housing stability. Learn if you are eligible to receive Homebase services. Find the contact information for a Homebase location in your borough: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island. New York City renters struggling to pay rent can contact the newly created tenant helpline by calling 311. Public Housing NYCHA has made it easier for public housing residents to reduce their rent during the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more.  Support for Homeless Veterans Veterans who are homeless or are at-risk can receive 24/7 support from the VA by calling 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) Homeless veterans are also welcomed at drop-in shelters operated by the NYC Department of Homeless Service.   For a complete list of resources visit our COVID-19 Resource page. Need to Know DVS Begins Processing VA Claims   This month, we began our collaboration with the New York State Division of Veterans' Services to process VA claims. For the first time, New York State and New York City are working together to get veterans and their families the benefits they’ve earned. Have questions about claims? Contact DVS at benefitclaims@veterans.nyc.gov. Get Certified with NYC   DVS and the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) are encouraging minority, women, and socially disadvantaged veteran business owners to become certified through the Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE) Program and/or the Minority-and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Program. Certified veteran-owned businesses will have greater access to contracting opportunities with NYC government agencies. Learn more.   To request more information, email DVS at business@veterans.nyc.gov. DVS Commissioner on COVID-19 Relief Efforts   The New York State of Health Foundation is hosting a webinar that will focus on the impact of the pandemic on New York City’s veterans. DVS Commisioner James Hendon will join the webinar to discuss what DVS has done to lead response efforts. RSVP here  WHEN: Tues, July 14th | 11:30 am Open to all Support for Veterans with Other-Than-Honorable Discharge   Restoration of Honor Act   The Restoration of Honor Act restores benefits to New York veterans who have an Other-Than-Honorable (OTH) discharge or a General Under Honorable Conditions discharge due to any of the following: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)  Military Sexual Trauma (MST)  Sexual Orientation Gender Identity To learn more and apply for benefits restoration visit the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services website.  Mental & Behavioral Health Care   Veterans with Other-Than-Honorable (OTH) discharge can receive emergency care for their mental health condition at VA medical centers for up to 90 days. The veteran will receive ongoing coverage if their mental health condition is determined to be a result of a service-related injury. The VA also provides ongoing mental and behavioral health care to veterans with OTH discharges who: were on active duty for more than 100 days and served in a combat role, or experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault while serving For more information click here. NYC & COVID-19 Get Tested for COVID-19   On July 11th, NYC did not have a single confirmed or suspected coronavirus death. This is the first time the City hit this milestone since the pandemic hit in March. Let's continue this trend by ensuring that every New Yorker gets tested ASAP. COVID-19 tests are FREE and available to all New Yorkers. Get tested even if you do not have symptoms. To find a testing site near you, go to nyc.gov/covidtest or text "COVID TEST" to 855-48. NYC Schools

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