Ballard Eagleson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3063
"No One Does More for Veterans"
Thank you to everyone who helped celebrate the holidays with Post 3063 at the post’s annual holiday party Dec. 13. Special thanks goes out to Anne Leake, our lovely Santa Claus, Top of the Hill Barbershop Quartet for the holiday tunes, Chef Kay and crew for the wonderful food, Comrade Mamallo for the Christmas photos, and the many others who contributed to the merry event.
Comrades Joe Fitzgerald, Jon Guncay, Harold Rodenberger, Anthony Rose and Dan Stokke participated in the Wreaths Across America Memorial Service at Lakeview Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 15. WAA coordinates wreathlaying ceremonies at more than 1,400 locations across the United States, at sea and abroad.
Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s December 2018 e-newsletter is available here. Highlights include: Meet Our New Service Officer: Leo Potts; Tis the Season to Give Blood; VFW Announces New Brand Identity; Holiday Party Dec. 13; Hamilton Middle School Students Send Thank Yous; and New Year: Shred Old Paperwork.
By Leo Potts
Hello comrades, I am your new Post 3063 Service Officer I am here to educate and inform veterans about their benefits, assist them in requesting military records and submitting applications for benefits.
I can help you request military records and obtain and complete the correct forms for submission to the VA. Claims are submitted by accredited VSOs located on the 10th floor of the Jackson Federal building at 915 2nd Avenue, Seattle. The VSOs at the VFW can submit a claim to the VA. An accredited VSO will review and submit the claim, and make sure it is well documented and that you have a fully developed claim. This ensures that your packet is not returned for minor things such as missing or incomplete form or missing documents. They can also track your claim once it is submitted to the VA.
An important part of submitting a claim, especially for a service connected disability claim, is having all the required documentation prior to meeting with the service officer. Do you have a copy of your discharge papers from the service (DD 214) and your medical records from military service (which may document a service connected injury)? Do you have civilian medical records from your physician or other civilian medical professionals that further supports a service connected injury or illness?
Military discharge papers, personnel and medical records can be requested online by going to the VA website (http://www.va.gov) and completing an SF 180. Depending on your branch of service and when you served will determine where you send the request. If you do not have your discharge papers, do not procrastinate in getting a copy of it because it provides proof of eligibility for your veteran’s benefits.
It may seem overwhelming to file a claim or you may think you are not eligible for any benefits but it is important to discuss this with a service officer and get their assistance in filing a fully developed claim. The VA must then do their due diligence to determine the eligibility of the claim. The claim process can take months but it may be worth your time.
If you ever need assistance, please contact me at [email protected].
For the past few years the post has received a stack of Veterans Day thank you notes from students at Hamilton International Middle School in Wallingford. It’s really heart warming to read them and realize how insightful these kids are at such young ages. Thank you to Teacher Daniel Waldschmidt for leading this effort.
Here are a couple that were pulled from the stack – enjoy!
