VETERANS BENEFITS HANDBOOK AVAILABLE (Now $5.00)
A handbook “FEDERAL BENEFITS FOR VETERANS AND DEPENDENTS,” has been updated with the latest data and is now available for $5.00, postpaid. The 96-page booklet describes such VA benefits as medical care, education, compensation, pension, life insurance, home loan guarantee, vocational rehabilitation, and burial assistance.
To obtain this booklet, send your check or money order in the amount of $5.00 to:
SUPERINTENDANT OF DOCUMENTS,
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20402-9325
The stock number to order is ISBN: 0-16-036128. It can be ordered with a credit card by calling (202) 512-1800, or fax (202) 512-2550.
SERVICE RECORDS
IMPORTANT! The location for obtaining personnel service records has recently changed! Please reach out to the new address below for any information regarding your military service.
National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63138
Visit their web site for more information:
http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/
The center holds the military personnel records of discharged and deceased veterans of all services. It does not hold records for individuals still on active duty, in the National Guard or Reserves, or living Army Retirees.
VFW MEMBERSHIP OK’D FOR POST KOREAN WAR VETERANS
For the first time since 1936, Congress has changed the VFW congressional charter. They have amended the charter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars to allow more than 1.8 million veterans who have served in Korea since the end of that war to join that organization.
TO OBTAIN YOUR MEDALS:
IMPORTANT! The location for obtaining your medals has recently changed! Please reach out to the new address below for any information regarding your medals awarded during your military service.
National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63138
Visit their web site for more information:
http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/
You must write asking for the medals to be issued to you and you must include a copy of both sides of your discharge papers. This service is available to living relatives of deceased and living relatives.
OBTAINING RECORDS FROM YOUR L.S.T.
To obtain official documents for each LST, please send a written request to the National Archives:
National Archives at College Park
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Local: (301) 837-2000
Toll Free Customer Service: (866) 272-6272
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 9AM – 5PM (Closed Sundays and Federal Holidays)
LST WWII records also accessible online with a paid annual membership at http://www.fold3.com
NEW 800 NUMBER FOR VA GRAVE INFORMATION
The Department of Veterans Affairs now has a toll-free number where you can inquire about headstones for veterans or other questions concerning the grave-marker program.
This new system will greatly enhance the ability to get answers to customers who need them quickly. By calling 1-800-697-6947 you are connected to VA’s National Cemetery Systems, Office of Memorial Programs in Washington, D.C. This line operated from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time, Monday – Friday. Service representatives can now supply immediate information about the status of applications, headstones, or marker delivery and general information about memorial programs.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR VA BURIAL BENEFITS
All veterans with discharges other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children are eligible for burial in VA National Cemetery. The National Cemetery System operates 114 cemeteries within the United States and Puerto Rico. Those eligible for burial also are eligible for a government provided headstone or marker and President Memorial Certificate. Veterans and their dependents may apply for all VA benefits by dialing 1-800-827-1000.
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1)