Save big bucks with a lifetime VFW membership

By Harold Rodenberger

 

Every once in a while it’s good to review our membersLife membership logohip requirements and various membership options.

 

As you know we are the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In order to join our organization a potential member must show documentary evidence, usually a copy of DD Form 214, of service in a designated war zone. They must also be a Citizen or National of the United States. The only other requirement is an Honorable Discharge.

 

Most people join as annual members, paying dues at the going rate each year. Currently our dues are thirty dollars which is the combination of National and Department (state) dues since our post, unlike most, does not charge any additional dues.

 

As you can see by doing some simple math these annual dues add up over the years so I encourage our annual members to consider taking out a life membership. We have one person who has been paying annual dues for 69 years. Imagine how much he could have saved if he had converted to life membership early in this period.

 

The fees for life membership are age based and they presently range from $450 for those up through 30 years old to $170 for those 81 and older. The fee can be paid as a lump sum or spread out over a year using the Life Installment Plan.

 

To get a real bargain on a life membership, once you attend three business meetings you become eligible for the quarterly drawing when we award a free life membership to a lucky annual member who is in attendance. This is your chance to save big bucks so plan on attending our regular meetings.

 

If you have questions or are interested in converting to a life membership send an email, call 206-782-8618 or come by the office during our regular hours.

 

Medical Marijuana for vets

As reported on KXLF.com (Butte, MT) by Jared Dillingham, based on a release from Phoenix, AZ, “Veterans could soon talk to their doctors at the VA about medical marijuana, at least in the 23 states where it’s legal” (which includes Washington).

 

This development came about as part of a budget bill that was passed by wide margins in the U.S. House and Senate chambers on Thursday, May 19. Up to now, the VA has had a very long-standing policy of not treating veterans with cannabis. The new bill forbids the VA from using funds to enforce this rule.

 

The pertinent section of the bill (H.R. 2019 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 in the House version) and specifically the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2016, in Section 246, which reads, “Prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used to: interfere with the ability of veterans to participate in a state-approved medicinal marijuana program, deny services to veterans participating in a program, or interfere with the ability of a VA health care provider care to comply with a program.”

 

This has not been signed into law yet, so nothing is certain at this point. Since it is part of the complete appropriations bill, there is some hope it will become law.

 

There are a number of studies confirming the efficacy of marijuana on such things as post-traumatic stress, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and other illnesses. Groups of veterans like the Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access have been working for this option for years.

VA home loans: a great benefit

Did you know that you may be eligible for a home loan through the VA? The VA also offers adapted homes for disabled veterans. Below is information regarding their home loan programs courtesy of their website. You can start the application process via this link as well.

 

 

VA home loan programs may be used to obtain homes, condominiums, or manufactured homes; refinance an existing home loan; or install energy-saving improvements. VA offers these three main types of guaranteed home loan benefits:

 

– Purchase Loans

– Cash-Out Refinance Loans

– Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans

 

Adapted Homes for Disabled Veterans

VA also offers grants to Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities to build an adapted home or install ramps, widen doors, or make other modifications to live more independently. VA operates three types of grants that accommodate Veterans’ unique circumstances: Specially Adapted Housing, Special Housing Adaptation, and Temporary Residence Adaptation.