Veterans Service Directory
|
|
VETERANS SERVICE DIRECTORYAs taken from The Veteran, the Official Voice of the Vietnam Veterans of America AGENT ORANGE Agent Orange Class Assistance Program (AOCAP) 202-289-6173 AMERASIANS Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement 202-724-5117 Department of State Bureau for Refugee Programs 202-647-7360 ARCHIVES The Defense Manpower Center 703-696-5796 Naval Historical Center 202-433-3170 Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University Library 806-742-3758 Vietnam War Collection, Connelly Library, LaSalle University 215-951-1285 William Joiner Center 617-287-5850 The National Archives of the United States, Military Records 301-713-7250 U.S. Army Center of Military History 202-761-5420 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF VIETNAM VETERANS The Access Group (information on technology services and Devices, etc., for disabled children AOCAP grant) 800-821-8580 404-514-7454 Association of Birth Defect Children (ABDC) 407-514-7454 .. ABDC Registry Hotline 800-313-ABDC National Information System for Vietnam Veterans and their Families 800-922-9234 .. In South Carolina 803-922-1107 Team of Advocates for Special Kids (assistance in seeking needed .. Educational, medical, or support services-AOCAP grant) 714-533-TASK Wilderness Inquiry (outdoor adventures for people for all ages and ability levels AOCAP grant) 800-728-0719 . In the Twin Cities, MN 612-379-3858 Sons and Daughters in Touch 703-525-1107 Gold Star Wives 703-998-0064 CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs 202-224-9126 House Committee on Veterans Affairs 202-225-3527 Bipartisan Veterans Health-Care Coalition . Unknown at this time. Congressional Rural Health-Care Coalition . Reps Gundrson and Poshard co-Chairs 202-225-5506 Vietnam-era Veterans in Congress 202-225-5909 . Fax 202-225-5396 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Office of the Secretary 202-273-4800 Office of the Inspector General 202-565-8620 .. Hotline for DC Metropolitan area 800-488-8244 Office of the General Counsel 202-273-6659 Office of Chief Benefits Director 202-418-4343 Office of the national Cemetery System 202-273-5146 Arlington National Cemetery (general Funeral Information) 703-697-2131 Board of Veterans Appeals 202-565-5436 Central Office (Main Switchboard) 202-273-4950 Freedom of Information/Privacy Act 202-565-5862 Government Life Insurance 800-669-8477 Personnel Locator 202-273-4950 Persian Gulf Veterans Hotline 800-PGW-VETS Veterans Benefits Administration-Veterans Services Division 800-827-1000 GOVERNMENT AGENCIES Department of Defense 703-545-6700 Department of Labor ... Office of Veterans Employment and Training 202-219-9110 Office of Veterans Employment, Reemployment, and Training (OVERT) 202-219-9116 . . 202-219-9110 Department of State Office of Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam Affairs 202-647-3133 Office of Management and Budget-Veterans Affairs 202-395-4500 office of Personnel Management 202-606-1000 Small Business Administration-Office of Veterans Affairs 202-205-6773 HOMELESS Department of Housing and Urban Development Veteran Resource Center 800-998-9999 TDD 800-483-2209 National Coalition for the Homeless 202-775-1322 National Coalition for Homeless Veterans 800-VET-HELP In Washington, D.C. 202-546-1969 HUMANITARIAN American Red Cross 800-HELP-NOW Army Emergency Relief 703-545-6700 National Marrow Donor Program 800-654-1247 Operation Smile 804-625-0375 INCARCERATED Federal Bureau of Prisons 202-307-3250 LOCATOR AND REUNION SERVICES Army Worldwide Locator Services 703-325-3732 Navy Times Locator Services 703-750-8636 Service Reunions 703-998-7035 MINORITY VETERANS Black Veterans for Social Justice 718-935-1116 Navajo Nation Veterans 520-871-7914 POW/MIA Department of Defense POW/MIA Affairs 703-602-2102 National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia 202-223-6846 24hr update hotline 202-659-0133 Task Force Omega, inc. 602-979-5651 VVA National POW/MIA Committee 202-628-2700 ext.118 Advocacy and Intelligence Index for POW/MIA 516-567-9057 . Fax 516-244-7097 PTSD Dr. Alfonso Batres, DSW, Director, Readjustment Counseling Service Department of Veterans Affairs 202-273-8967 National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Science Division . Boston VA Medical Center 617-232-9500 ext.5923 VVA First Omni Credit Card 800-441-8026 . Or 800-338-VETS Message Check 800-243-2565 Veterans Collectibles 800-NAM-VETS . Fax 202-638-1839 Navy Memorial 202-737-2300 ext.710 VVA CHAPTER-RELATED PROJECTS Reflections print (VVA Chapter 172) 301-777-7001 .. Toll Free 800-482-VETS .. e-mail vva172@netbiz.net mailto:vva172@netbiz.net vva172@netbiz.net Return Trip Committee (to Vietnam), contact: Diana Wilson 216-699-6436 .. Fax 216-628-5289 WOMEN VETERANS Vietnam Womens Memorial Project 202-328-7253 Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation 703-533-1155 OTHER Partnership for Health Care Reform (Representing American Legion, AMVETS, DAV, VFW, VVA, ETC ) 202-872-1300 National Conference of Vietnam Veteran Ministers 508-222-7313 New York State Department of Labor Veterans Programs (national referrals) 800-342-3358 Point Man Ministries 800-877-VETS USO 202-610-5700 ON THE INTERNET VVA National Office (Prodigy) waxl16a@prodigy.net mailto:WAXL16a@prodigy.com WAXL16a@AXL16a@prodigy.com (CompuServe) 71154,702 VVA news/messageboard (CompuServe) go "VVAONLINE" VA Online (telenet) vaonline.va.gov Military Forum (America Online) keyword:military Military City vets Club (America Online) keyword:mco Military and Vets Club (America Online) keyword:vets Persian Gulf Veterans Hotline BBS 800-US1-VETS Advocacy and Intelligence Index for POW/MIA iipowmia@aol.com MedalsMedals awarded while in active service will be issued by the appropriate service if requested by veterans or, if deceased, their next of kin. Requests for medals from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard should be sent to the U.S. Navy Liaison Office, National Personnel Records Center, Room 3475, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. Requests for medals from the Army should be sent to Army Commander, U.S. Army Reserve Personnel Center, ATTN: DARP-PAS-EAW, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. Requests for medals from the Air Force should be sent to the National Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records), 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. The veteran's full name should be printed or typed, so that it can be read clearly. The request must contain the signature of the veteran or the signature of the next of kin if the veteran is deceased. Include the veteran's branch of service, service number or Social Security number and dates of service, or at least the approximate years. If available, include a copy of the discharge or separation document, WDAGO Form 53-55 or DD Form 214. If possible, send the request on Standard Form 180, "Request Pertaining To Military Records." These forms are generally available from VA offices or veterans organizations. Review of DischargesEach of the military services maintains a discharge review board with authority to change, correct, or modify discharges or dismissals that are not issued by a sentence of a general court martial. The board has no authority to address medical discharges. The veteran or - if deceased or incompetent - the surviving spouse, next of kin or legal representative may apply for a review of discharge by writing to the military department concerned, using Department of Defense Form 293 (DD-293). This form may be obtained at any VA office. If more than 15 years have passed since discharge, DD Form 149 should be used for applications to the Board for the Correction of Military Records. Service discharge review boards conduct hearings in Washington, D.C. Traveling review boards also visit selected cities to hear cases. In addition, the Army sends teams to locations to videotape the testimony of applicants for later review by a board in Washington, D.C. Discharges awarded as a result of unauthorized absence in excess of 180 days make persons ineligible for VA benefits regardless of action taken by discharge review boards, unless VA determines there were compelling circumstances for the absences. In addition, boards for the correction of military records may consider such cases. Applications to these boards are made with DD Form 149. Veterans with disabilities incurred or aggravated during active military service may qualify for medical or related benefits regardless of separation and characterization of service. Veterans separated administratively under other than honorable conditions may require that their discharge be reviewed for possible recharacterization, provided they file their appeal within 15 years of the date of separation. Questions regarding the review of a discharge may be addressed to the appropriate discharge review board at the following addresses: o Army - Army Discharge Review Board, Attention: SFMR-RBB, Room 200A, 1941 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202-4504. o Navy and USMC - Navy Discharge Review Board, 801 N. Randolph St., Suite 905, Arlington, VA 22203. o Air Force - Air Force Military Personnel Center, Attention: DPMDOA1, Randolph AFB, TX 78150-6001. o Coast Guard - Coast Guard, Attention: GPE1, Washington, DC 20593. Replacing Military Records go here for Form #180 to print.http://www.archives.gov/research_room/obtain_copies/standard_form_180.pdf A veteran and spouse should be aware of the location of the veteran's discharge and separation papers. If the veteran cannot locate discharge and separation papers, duplicate copies may be obtained by contacting the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. Specify that a duplicate separation document or discharge is needed. The veteran's full name should be printed or typed so that it can be read clearly, but the request must also contain the signature of the veteran or the signature of the next of kin, if the veteran is deceased. Include the veteran's branch of service, service number or Social Security number and exact date or approximate years of service. If possible, use Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining To Military Records. This form is available from VA offices and veterans organizations. It is not necessary to request a duplicate copy of a veteran's discharge or separation papers solely for the purpose of filing a claim for VA benefits. If complete information about the veteran's service is furnished on the application, VA will obtain verification of service from the National Personnel Records Center or the service department concerned. In case of a medical emergency, information from a veteran's records may be obtained by phoning the National Personnel Records Center: Air Force, (314) 538-4243; Army (314) 538-4261; Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, (314) 538-4141. Correction of Military RecordsThe secretary of a military department, acting through a board for correction of military records, has authority to correct any military record when necessary to correct an error or remove an injustice. Applications for correction of a military record, including review of discharges issued by court-martial, may be considered by a correction board. A request for correction generally must be filed by the veteran, survivor or legal representative within three years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. The board may excuse failure to file within the prescribed time, however, if it finds it would be in the interest of justice to do so. It is the responsibility of the applicant to show why the filing of the application was delayed and why it would be in the interest of justice for the board to consider the application despite the delay. To justify any correction, it is necessary to show to the satisfaction of the board that the alleged entry or omission in the records was in error or unjust. Applications should include all evidence which may be available, such as signed statements of witnesses or a brief of arguments supporting the requested correction. Application must be made on DD Form 149, which may be obtained at any VA office. Send completed application to the address indicated on the form. Armed Forces Retirement HomesVeterans may be eligible to live in two retirement homes run by an independent federal agency, the Armed Forces Retirement Home. For information, write to the Admissions Office, U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home, Washington, DC 20317, or phone 1-800-422-9988; or write to U.S. Naval Home, 1800 Beach Dr., Gulfport, MS 39507, or phone 1-800-322-3527. Commissary and Exchange PrivilegesThe following are entitled to unlimited exchange and commissary store privileges in the United States: honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 100 percent, unremarried surviving spouses of members or retired members of the Armed Forces, recipients of the Medal of Honor, and certain dependents and orphans. Certain reservists and their dependents also are eligible. Entitlement to these privileges overseas is governed by international law, and privileges are available only to the extent agreed upon by the foreign governments concerned. Certification of total disability will be given by VA. Assistance in completing DD Form ll72 (Application for Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card) may be provided by VA. Death GratuityMilitary services provide a death gratuity of $6,000 to a deceased service member's spouse or children. The death gratuity is payable for death in active service or within 120 days thereafter from causes related to active service. Parents, brothers or sisters may be provided the gratuity, if designated by the deceased. This is paid by the last military command of the deceased. If the beneficiary has not been paid within a reasonable time, application may be made to the service concerned. Medals Medals awarded while in active service will be issued by the appropriate service if requested by veterans or, if deceased, their next of kin. Requests for medals from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard should be sent to the U.S. Navy Liaison Office, National Personnel Records Center, Room 3475, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. Requests for medals from the Army should be sent to Army Commander, U.S. Army Reserve Personnel Center, ATTN: DARP-PAS-EAW, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. Requests for medals from the Air Force should be sent to the National Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records), 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. The veteran's full name should be printed or typed, so that it can be read clearly. The request must contain the signature of the veteran or the signature of the next of kin if the veteran is deceased. Include the veteran's branch of service, service number or Social Security number and dates of service, or at least the approximate years. If available, include a copy of the discharge or separation document, WDAGO Form 53-55 or DD Form 214. If possible, send the request on Standard Form 180, "Request Pertaining To Military Records." These forms are generally available from VA offices or veterans organizations. Notice: In the past we have provided assistance in finding of records and information. We can no longer do this, our schedule will not allow us the time needed to do this job right. Howard Swonger |
|
Copyright © 1996-2008 |