Some veterans are out there waiting for someone to show care and to talk to. Therefore, next time you see a veteran, please say "thank you for your service", it would mean a lot to the veteran.
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In our legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.
One day a year, we as Americans celebrate Veterans Day. Spending time with a veteran, makes a difference in the lives of these former military members. Just thanking a veteran can go a long way, this act of kindness means even more. We at House of Samaritans find ways to show vets that we do appreciate the sacrifices they have made. Many of our veterans, especially those who are destitute or disabled, have trouble intermingling with others.
At the current date, we record that less than 1% of our population shoulders the responsibilities of our national defense through their service in uniform, and just over 7% of all Americans alive are Veterans. Veterans Day presents the opportunity to ask ourselves, “For their sacrificial willingness, dedication and selfless service, what do Veterans need and deserve?”
What Veterans deserve, has always come down to, is access to the highest quality and safe healthcare, benefits and services, education that prepares them fully for their next success, safe and affordable housing, and meaningful rewarding employment. At House of Samaritans, we are privileged to be tirelessly working to deliver on the promises of the American people to those from whom we ask everything.
As we all might know, one of the most important works of compassion is the act of Visitation of the Sick. We are currently living in a time where there are greater opportunities to achieve while spending time with those who are ill and needing some visitors. They need to know that their lives have value, because they are also loved by God. House of Samaritans can bear witness through God’s love and show true compassion, to people who are sick, that we love them too.
What is a Toxic Exposure Risk Activity (TERA)?
Veterans who were exposed to one or more of the following hazards or conditions during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training are determined to have participated in a TERA:
Air pollutants such as burn pits, sand, dust, particulates, oil well fires, and sulfur fires.
Chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, depleted uranium with embedded shrapnel, and contaminated water.
Occupational hazards such as asbestos, industrial solvents, lead, paints including chemical agent resistant coating, and firefighting foams.
Radiation such as nuclear weapons handling, maintenance and detonation, radioactive material, calibration and measurement sources, X-rays, nuclear weapon technicians and dental technicians, those who served on nuclear submarine and other nuclear ships or in shipyards, or those who were involved in nuclear weapons handling and maintenance, including clean-up after accidents.
Warfare agents such as nerve agents and chemical and biological weapons.
Please note, this list is not all-inclusive, and there is no timeline to apply. View additional military exposure categories on VA Public Health website at: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/. If you believe you have an exposure not listed here, that is not an automatic disqualification. Submit your statement of exposure and apply.
Minimum Active-Duty Service Requirements for VA Health Care:
Veterans must have served 24 months of continuous active duty or the full period for which they were called to active duty.
For Reserve and National Guard members, you may be eligible for VA health care if you have qualifying service described above and you meet the health care requirements under Section 103 of the PACT Act.
The exceptions to VA health care eligibility can be found at https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/.
How to File:
Visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction.
Apply at your local VA Health Care Facility. Find your nearest location at https://www.va.gov/find-locations.
Be sure to submit a statement of your toxic exposure when you file. Your exposure may not be evident through your service treatment records (STRs) and service personnel files alone.
VA Health Care Expands to Millions of Veterans
All Veterans exposed to toxins while serving can enroll in VA health care.
Beginning March 5, millions of Veterans are eligible for VA health care years earlier than called for by the PACT Act. Specifically, all Veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements and who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving our country—at home or abroad—are now eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits.
Who is eligible?
In one of the largest-ever expansions of Veteran health care, 3 new groups of Veterans are now eligible to enroll directly in VA health care. You are eligible if you meet basic service and discharge requirements and if any of the following applies to you:
You served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11.
You were deployed in support of the Global War on Terror.
You were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty. This includes working with chemicals, pesticides, lead, asbestos, certain paints, nuclear weapons, x-rays and more.
You don’t need to be sick or file a claim to become eligible. All you have to do is show that you served in a location or operation—or participated in an activity—that could have exposed you to hazards. You can view more military exposure categories on VA’s Public Health website.
Even if none of these descriptions match your service, you may be eligible based on your income. Bottom line: it’s now quicker and easier than ever for you to enroll.
