Vets Learn that There's Life After the War is Over

Veterans are eligible for benefits and assistance immediately upon leaving active duty.  The problem is, not all veterans are aware of that fact.

“When you’re being out processed, you get this information,” said a representative at the at the last weekend.  “But that’s not the first thing on your mind; you just want to get home.”

The forum was put together in an attempt to educate servicemen and woman of the services, benefits, and more offered to veterans.  The seminar included presentations by the NJ Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, the VA Health Care System, the NJ Veterans Memorial Home in Edison, Rutgers University Veterans Services, and more as well as a panel discussion and Q&A following the presentations.

Frank Quadrino spoke on behalf of the VA Health Care System and discussed benefits that veterans may be entitled to. 

“I highly suggest you enroll in the V.A. if you’re not already, and utilize it at least once a year,” said Quadrino, noting that the budget for the VA Health Care System is determined by it’s overall usage, and that even if a particular veteran was uninterested in taking advantage of the VA’s services, his or her utilizing of it at least once yearly would benefit all veterans by keeping the program’s annual budget healthy.

“If you’re having difficulty hearing and you were exposed to loud noises in the field, you should file a claim,” said Quadrino, adding that if the claim is ruled in the veteran’s favor, that veteran would be entitled to free health care related to the issue that began in the battlefield.

The veterans and families gathered also heard discussions about housing by Joseph Brandspiegel of the Menlo Park Veterans Home.  “It’s is not to come to our facility to die,” said Brandspiegel.  “Veterans come to us to live.”

Brandspiegel went on to explain the benefits of living at the home, from the full-time doctors employed at the home to the food provided and entertainment options, dubbing it “a little city by itself.”

Al Van Havere, an Army veteran who served in Europe from 1955 to 1958 and falls under the Korean War veterans designation, attends the program every year.  “It’s very interesting, you always get some good advice,” said Van Havere.  He noted that this year he was looking for answers regarding a claim filed two years ago, and learned that it could be up to four years until it’s heard.

Like many veterans who attended the program, Van Havere was unaware that there were benefits to which he may be entitled.  “I’ve been paying to see the doctor, but [Quadrino] said I shouldn’t have to,” said Van Havere, noting Quadrino’s talk earlier in the day.  “So I’m unclear on that.”

Jane Barrett also works with Veterans Affairs, particularly veterans of Operations Iraqi Liberation, Enduring Freedom, and New Dawn.  She noted during a brief speech that she often works with veterans with substance abuse or post-traumatic stress disorder issues, and stressed that veterans should be aware of their benefits and rights. 

“I want to thank the veterans from past conflicts here,” said Barrett.  “They gave us a lot of ideas...to help fill that gap when they come back to civilian life.”