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Service Officer

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John Fraser Jr

In view of the recent sudden death and burial of our esteemed Post Commander, I wanted to review VA death benefits for eligible Veterans to consider for end of life planning.

 

1)  You can apply to find out in advance if you can be buried in a VA national cemetery. This is called a pre-need determination of eligibility—and it can help make the burial planning process easier for your family members in their time of need. Follow the steps below to apply:

https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/pre-need-eligibility/

 

2) How to get Veterans burial allowances (sometimes called “Veterans death benefits”) to help cover burial, funeral, and transportation costs:

https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/

 

3) While planning a burial for a Veteran or Reservist, you can apply for certain memorial items to honor their military service, such as headstone, flag, or Presidential Memorial Certificate. An eligible spouse or other family member buried in a national cemetery, or certain other Veterans or military cemeteries, may also qualify for a headstone or marker to identify the place of burial:

https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/

 

4) If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died while serving their country, you may qualify for bereavement counseling through VA. Bereavement counseling (also sometimes called “grief counseling”) provides assistance and support for people going through emotional and psychological stress after the death of a loved one:

https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/bereavement-counseling/

 

Mike Lukowiak will cover the specifics of the VFW Day of Service event on May 7th in support of the fund raising event for Wimberley Valley Radio. #StillServing

 

V/r,

 

John Fraser

Service Officer

VFW Post 6441

Wimberley, TX

 

VETERANS  CRISIS LINE:

1-800-273-8255   Press option 1

Or TEXT:  838255

SUICIDE AWARENESS:  FACTORS, SYMTOMS, WARNING SIGNS

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FACTORS:       

  • Depression

  • Alcohol

  • Substance Abuse

  • Previous attempts

  • No Social Support

  • Divorce, Separation

  • Personal Failure

  • Pending Proceeding

SYMPTOMS:

  • Appetite Change

  • Feeling of Helplessness,

  • Hopelessness

  • Crying

  • Decreased Work Performance

  • Decrease Motivation

  • Sleeping Pattern Change

Warning Signs:

  • Obsession with death

  • Plans Access to Means

  • Withdrawn

  • Outward Passive

  • Aggressive

DO:

  • Take seriously

  • Ask Questions

  • Listen Carefully

  • Watch for Physical Indicators

  • Check for Means

  • Check for Support System

  • GET HELP!  911

DO NOT:

  • Leave Individual Alone!

  • Moralize or Judge

  • Act Shocked

  • Agree to a Secret Dare

  • Shame or

  • Humiliate them.

SUICIDE AWARENESS ACTIONS:

REMEMBER:

The suicide rate among Veterans vastly exceeds that of active-duty military troops.  According to estimates last year by the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs, a US Military Veteran commits suicide every 80 minutes – equals to 18 Veterans a day.

One suicide is too many!!!

This list was compiled by our VFW STATE CHAPLAIN 2020 by Dr. Al Lowe, DMN who has been sharing this training across the State of Texas at the District Meetings.

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