FROM THE COMMANDER

Andrea Pace
Commander VFW Post 969 - 2021-2022

Happy Holidays, please join us for our Post Birthday December 4th.  The party starts at 5pm.

Post meetings are on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm. All Post members are welcome to attend.

FROM THE AUXILLARY PRESIDENT

Post 969 and Washington Abate present the John P. Scapes Memorial Toy Run on Saturday December 18th from 1-3pm, with a bike parade starting at 1pm. This event is open to all and benefits children from Tacoma/ Pierce County. Bring your kids for a fun filled day with Santa Claus !

CHAPLAINS CORNER

Well, it’s that time of year again were we are very busy with our essays, kid’s functions and helping our veterans and homeless. Special thanks to Buddy Arcase for his sizeable donation of presents for the children's toy run on December 18th!

VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER

Over the course of the last six months, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun processing service-connected disability claims for six new presumptive conditions related to environmental exposures during military service.

In May 2021, VA started implementing provisions of the William M. Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA), adding bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism to the list of medical conditions presumptively associated with exposure to Agent Orange.

A few months later VA added asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis (to include rhinosinusitis) on a presumptive basis based on particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest Asia and certain other areas.

Any Veteran who was previously denied service-connection for any of these six conditions but had symptoms manifest within 10 years of military service would need to file a supplemental claim. The claim form should include the name of the condition and specify that the condition is being claimed due to in-service exposure to environmental hazards. If you’ve been previously denied for one of these presumptive conditions, let’s get your supplemental claim submitted to the VA.

For help with your VA claim, contact Mel West at 253-376-8216 or vso@vfw969.org.  

CLUB INFORMATION