Volume 18 - Issue 6 In Honor of Michael “Bat” Masterson December 2015

I will send out another reminder as we get closer to Dec. 12th. Steve

CHRISTMAS PARTYDON’T FORGET THE CHAPTER CHRISTMAS PARTY!Scheduled for December 19 from Noon to 4 p.m. at the Siz-

zler at the corner of Van Buren and Clay in Jurupa Valley (6631 Clay St, Riverside, CA 92509). The chapter will pay for members & family members food, there will be many raffles and even enter-tainment. PLEASE mark your calendar and come share with your chapter members

New VeTeRAN DeSIgNATIoNHow To ADD THe VeTeRAN DeSIgNATIoN To

theForwardObserver

VVA Chapter 47 PO Box 4277, Riverside CA 92514-4277 http://www.vva47.com

wReATHS ACRoSS AMeRICA

All, Chapter 47 donated $300.00 to Wreaths Across America.

This donation will purchase 20 wreaths that will be delivered to Riverside National Cemetery for placement on the graves there.

The Civil Air Patrol Cadets are in charge of Wreaths Across America at the National Cemetery.

They will have their ceremony on December 12th starting at 9:00 AM sharp. After the ceremony then all the wreath’s that were donated to the cemetery through the Civil Air Cadets will be placed at the graves nearest the amphitheater.

It would be nice to have as many chapter members as we can there to help place the wreaths. The wreaths are all laid out be-hind the amphitheater so it easiest for the volunteers to place the wreaths at the graves that are close by.

Two years ago I made a list of the location of family, friends and a couple chapter members. I picked up 10 of the wreaths and took them and placed them at those graves. I plan on doing the same thing this year.

So if you would like to assist with the wreaths come on out.

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YouR DL/ID CARD

Effective November 12, 2015, eligible veterans have the op-portunity to add the word “VETERAN” to the front of their DL/ID card to indicate that they have served in the U.S. Military. It can also play a critical role in enabling access to certain privileges, benefits, or compensation associated with being a veteran without having to carry and produce a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

To apply for the veteran designation on your DL/ID card, you will need to:

Obtain a Veteran Status Verification Form (VSD-001) which will be issued by the County Veteran Service Office. This form is not available from DMV.

Bring the completed VSD-001 to a DMV field office. For faster service, make sure to make an appointment to visit a DMV field office.

Complete and pay the application fee for the Driver License or Identification Card Application/Commercial Driver License Application (DL 44/44C).

Pay an additional $5 fee to add the veteran designation to your DL/ID card.

Once all requirements have been met, a DL/ID card with the word “VETERAN” will be issued.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) col-laborates with the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to offer veterans of the United States (U.S.) Military the opportunity to request benefit information. Veterans can request benefit information whenever they submit to the DMV a Driver License or Identification Card Application, Commercial Driver License Application form or when renewing their driver license or identification (DL/ID) card online by checking the “Yes” box when asked if they would like to receive veteran benefit informa-tion. As a result, the DMV will forward the contact information to CalVet to provide benefit information to the requesting veteran.

Statutory Authority: Vehicle Code (VC) §§12811, 14901.1Commonly Asked QuestionsHow can I add the veteran designation to my DL/ID card?First, visit a County Veteran Service Office (CVSO) to obtain

a Veteran Status Verification Form. Submit the completed Veteran Status Verification Form in-person at a DMV field office, along with a completed Driver License or Identification Card Applica-tion or Commercial Driver License Application form. You must indicate on the application that you wish to have the veteran desig-nation printed on your DL/ID card. All other application fees and requirements for a DL/ID card must be met before a DL/ID card with a veteran designation can be issued.

How do I find a CVSO?CVSO contact information can be found online by visit-

ing CVSO Locations or calling 1-877-741-8532 or 1-844-737-8838 (1-844 SERV-VETS).

What information do I provide to the CVSO to get the Veteran Status Verification Form?

The Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and a photo ID such as a current driver license, current passport, retired military ID card, Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), etc.

Will my personal information be shared with anyone?No. For more information, visit DMV’s Privacy Policy.Are there any veteran eligibility requirements or restrictions

to adding the veteran designation to my DL/ID card?

Yes. For information re-garding the veteran designation eligibility requirements and restrictions, contact your local CVSO Locations.

Is there a requirement of discharge status to add the vet-eran designation?

Yes. Persons who have ac-tively served in the U.S. mili-tary and received an other than dishonorable discharge are eli-gible to receive a veteran desig-nation on his or her DL/ID card.

When can I apply to add the veteran designation to my DL/ID card?

The new law is effective on Veterans Day, November 11, 2015. However, since Vet-erans Day is a state holiday, the DMV will begin processing ap-plications for DL/ID cards with the veteran designation on No-vember 12, 2015.

Where can I apply to add the veteran designation to my DL/ID card?

You can apply for the vet-eran designation at any DMV field office that processes DL/ID cards. The veteran designa-tion can only be added or re-moved at a field office. Check the DMV website for locations and office hours or call 1-800-777-0133. For faster service, make sure to make an appoint-ment to visit a DMV field of-fice.

Is there a fee for adding the veteran designation to my DL/ID card?

Yes. There is a $5 fee in addition to any application fees for a DL/ID card.

Can I have the veteran des-ignation on both my DL and ID card?

Yes. The veteran designa-tion can be added to both your DL and your ID card.

Do I need two Veteran Status Verification Forms; one for my DL and a second for my ID card?

No. One Veteran Status Verification Form can be used to add the veteran designation to both your DL and your ID card.

If I have a Senior ID card, am I still required to pay the $5 fee for adding the veteran designation to my Senior ID card?

Yes. The $5 fee applies when adding the veteran designation to your DL/ID, including your Senior ID card.

If I have a reduced fee ID card, am I still required to pay the $5

CHAPTER OFFICERS FOR 2013 - 2015

President Steve Mackey

Vice President Mike Kennedy

secretary/treasurer Tom Hohmann

directors

Zack Earp Alex Candelaria

Jess Gomez Dave Hooper

Gary Kuderman Walter Mendoza

Ed Ryan Jim Valdez

Product sales Steve Mackey

Dave Hooper

state council reP. Ken Porizek

newsletter editor Tom Hohmann

Publisher Steve Mackey

web site Tom Hohmann

aVVa liaison Alice Gomez

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Chapter 47 meets on the 3rd Saturday of each

month at the VFW 10267 in Jurupa Valley. The

meetings begin at 10 a.m. Board meetings are on

the second Wednesday of each month, also at the

VFW at 10 a.m. Check our web site for further

information directions/maps/etc. Meetings dates/

times do change throughout the year, notices will

be sent. Check our chapter web site often.

Membership is open to all Vietnam Era veter-

ans, regardless of the country where you were sta-

tioned (Feb 28, ‘61 to May 7, ‘75), race, religion,

gender, ethnicity. AVVA membership is open to

anyone with an interest in supporting the goals of

VVA.

The opinions expressed in this newsletter are

not necessarily those of the Chapter, its Board of

Directors, its membership, or VVA Inc.

Chapter 47 951-781-6137

Household Goods

Donation Pick Up

909-888-7786

clothingdonations.org

Vet Centers:

Colton

Corona

909-801-5762

951-734-0525

County Department of Veteran Services

Riverside 951-955-6050

San Bernardino 909-387-5516

Pettis VA Hospital 909-825-7084

800-741-8387

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fee for adding the veteran designation to my ID card?Yes. The $5 fee applies when adding the veteran designation

to your DL/ID, including your reduced fee ID card.How can I remove the veteran designation from my DL or ID

card?The veteran designation can be removed from your DL/ID

card by completing the Driver License or Identification Card Ap-plication or Commercial Driver License Application form and in-dicating that you would like the veteran designation removed. This must be completed at a DMV field office.

Is there a fee to remove the veteran designation?No. There is no fee to remove the veteran designation from

your DL/ID card; however, required application fees for a DL/ID card may apply.

Can I submit my request for the veteran designation through the mail or online?

No. California Vehicle Code section 12811(c)(5) requires you to apply for the veteran designation, in-person, at a DMV field of-fice that processes DL/ID cards. The veteran designation can only be added or removed at a field office. Check the DMV website for locations and office hours or call 1-800-777-0133. For faster service, make sure to make an appointment to visit a DMV field office.

Will I have to take a test to add the veteran designation to my DL or ID card?

No. There is no test to add the veteran designation to your DL/ID card. However, when applying for an original DL/ID card or renewing your current DL/ID card, all other application fees and requirements apply, which may include a test.

No CoLA foR 2016The 2016 cost of living adjustment (COLA) for federal ben-

efits will be zero for 2016. This is because the index used to de-termine military retirement, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability payments, and social security shows that there has been no inflation since last September. The dramatic decrease in the cost of gasoline has cancelled out all the other price increases, leaving a net negative Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This is the third time of no increase since increases were made automatic in 1975.

While Congress is considering bills to authorize a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2016 governing veterans’ disability compensation, pension and other payments, the Social Security Administration has already announced that no COLA will be made available in 2016. Therefore, if Congress passes veterans’ bills au-thorizing COLA increases next year, there will not be any increase in the rates paid for disability compensation and other benefits. This lapse is unfair to America’s disabled veterans.

In recent years, it has become apparent that even the several prior COLA increases failed to meet rising costs faced by disabled veterans, their dependents and survivors. These individuals are not “normal” consumers of goods and services on the U.S. econ-omy; they are significantly older and suffer disabilities at higher rates than average citizens across the age range of residents of this country. In general, they are heavy consumers of health care, both within the systems of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and De-fense, from Medicare and Medicaid, and from private providers. The sickest and most infirm among them are unemployable. They

are substantial consumers of expensive prescription medications and other health aids. In many cases, they live on fixed incomes and some must subsist on a single source of funds: their monthly government disability or pension payments. Flattening next year’s VA benefit payments is an unjust policy and will negatively im-pact the financial security of this deserving group, and should be remedied.

Please contact your elected officials to urge them to introduce legislation that would guarantee a reasonable COLA for wounded, injured, and ill veterans and their dependents and survivors. A let-ter for this purpose is provided for your use. You may also write a personal message if you prefer.

As always, thank you for your grassroots support and advo-cacy to enable us to move helpful legislation through Congress that is beneficial to disabled veterans.

Click, or copy, the link below to log in and send your mes-sage: https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/BnVonuuC3K-fEO2YUq8RmZQ

HoNoR fLIgHT

They stormed the beaches of Normandy, they braved German flak, and they fought on Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal and in a thousand other battles. Now the GI Joe’s of WWII are in the sunset of their lives. Before too long they will all be gone. There is no way to really reward these heroes for what they did. We can never thank them enough but we can at least reward them with an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C.

Honor Flight of the Inland Empire California was formed in 2010. We gratefully accept donations to continue our mission. Donations are accepted from all individuals. Our goal is to raise $150,000 each year, which is the cost of sending 150 veterans to Washington D.C. each year. Your contribution to this noteworthy cause will go a long way toward helping us achieve our goal.

Below, Chapter 47 President Steve Mackey presents a dona-tion frm Chapter 47 to Honor Flivght to the representatives who attended our November meeting. They will be getting information back to us as to how our donation has assisted veterans visit their memorial in DC.

There is much more info about the project and whom they help and how they do it at: http://www.honorflightie.org

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CRuSIN’ e STReeT

Below, Wren Goodwine’s Ford Torino won an award at this year’s event. The Chapter 47 booth is at bottom right.

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There are more than 58,000 names on The Wall. Every single one of them has a story that you can help keep alive. Sign up and learn how you can help honor the memory of our veterans:

See more at: http://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/#sthash.JbzLWgUA.dpuf

ALTA LoMA HIgH SCHooL

ANNuAL VeTeRANS DAY eVeNT

This year the event was outside around their very nice memorial honoring those who have attended the school and sacrificed for our Country. The

event was attended by Chapter 47 Members Steve Mack-ey (chapter president) and Wren Goodwine. We will con-tinue to participate in this event and encourage others to consider it as well. As information is received it will be placed in our calendar of events and put in our nesetter and also our web site and Facebook page, as well as on the CSC Web Site Message Board. Steve says it is a very rewarding experience and encourages all who can to at-tend the event.

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VVA Chapter 47PO Box 4277Riverside, CA 92514-4277http://www.vva47.com

NOTE Important Meeting/Event Information:December 19, Chapter 47 Chiristmas Party, 12 Noon to 4 p.m. at Sizzler on Clay & Van Buren, Riverside - this will take the place of our monthly General Meeting.